Is Thomas Bryant going to declare for the draft?

[Brass Cannon 24,977]

This has been a hot topic for a few weeks so I thought I would give it a home. 

[mdn82 25,546]

I think a lot depends on his draft stock. Chad ford just updated his rankings yesterday. He had OG at 13. I don't have insider to see where TB is, but he is not top 20. Very good ranking for OG. Hopefully TB can sneak into the 1st and get into a good program. Hard to say whether he is gone hell or high water. I know 2 years was the plan when he came to IU. He didn't test the waters last year. I know Pap always had good info on where things stood last year during the process.


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[IUfan_Charlie 3,867]

IDK if he'll leave, but if I were a NBA GM I wouldn't touch him until the mid 2nd round. He's a legitimately bad defender in college, imagine him going against NBA players. I mean he gets pushed out to the 3 point line sometimes when he tries to post up. Average athlete with slow feet and twig legs. I just don't see Bryant being a good NBA player. His best move imo is to try and become a stretch 4 but I don't think he'd be able to guard guys on the perimeter either. 

[BtownBanner6 1,298]

IDK if he'll leave, but if I were a NBA GM I wouldn't touch him until the mid 2nd round. He's a legitimately bad defender in college, imagine him going against NBA players. I mean he gets pushed out to the 3 point line sometimes when he tries to post up. Average athlete with slow feet and twig legs. I just don't see Bryant being a good NBA player. His best move imo is to try and become a stretch 4 but I don't think he'd be able to guard guys on the perimeter either. 

Maybe a little over the top, but I agree he's no NBA player at this time.

[OliviaPope40 6,680]

I say you test the waters do a workout and do the combine and if you're chances of getting drafted are good based on the elevations then leave but if not then stay. 

Edited December 25, 2016 by OliviaPope40

[Class of '66 Old Fart 86,085]

16 minutes ago, OliviaPope40 said:

I say you test the waters do the a workout and the combine and if you're chances of getting drafted are good based on the elevations then leave but if not then stay. 

Finally, after all those cootchy coo words about Duke, Allen, ad nauseum, some bona fide words of wisdom from Olivia.  LOL.  Merry Christmas Olivia.  

[OliviaPope40 6,680]

15 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Finally, after all those cootchy coo words about Duke, Allen, ad nauseum, some bona fide words of wisdom from Olivia.  LOL.  Merry Christmas Olivia.  

Oh don't think that part is completely over old fart.

[Hoosierfan2017 22,138]

1 hour ago, IUfan_Charlie said:

IDK if he'll leave, but if I were a NBA GM I wouldn't touch him until the mid 2nd round. He's a legitimately bad defender in college, imagine him going against NBA players. I mean he gets pushed out to the 3 point line sometimes when he tries to post up. Average athlete with slow feet and twig legs. I just don't see Bryant being a good NBA player. His best move imo is to try and become a stretch 4 but I don't think he'd be able to guard guys on the perimeter either. 

How much of that can he really change though? I feel like his weaknesses are things that another summer/college season won't be able to help. I think it'd be best for him to have a great Big 10 season, leave for the draft and hope a team takes a chance on him in the first round. I really hope he's back in the candy stripes next season but I think he runs the risk of dropping his draft stock even more if he does. 

[Alford Bailey 12,421]

52 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

How much of that can he really change though? I feel like his weaknesses are things that another summer/college season won't be able to help. I think it'd be best for him to have a great Big 10 season, leave for the draft and hope a team takes a chance on him in the first round. I really hope he's back in the candy stripes next season but I think he runs the risk of dropping his draft stock even more if he does. 

This, on top of him being on the 2 year plan.

[Yogi's Picnic Basket 5,004]

The thing that worries me is I get he isn't gonna be our top scoring option as long as JBJ is here, but when OG went out he didn't dominate like I thought he should. At the same time he doesn't get enough touches. I saw a article on bleacher report saying that some scouts think if he slimmed down a bit and got quicker on his feet he could have a big impact. But if he can't scouts want him to get stronger to become a 1st. He could gain a lot by coming back I dont get why you guys think different. He could graduate in 3 years which is a huge advantage and he could decide whether he wants to try to play faster or stronger and go at that. A lot of kids have benefitted by coming back and vise versa it depends on the kids work ethic and TB's is awesome. I won't doubt this kid regardless of when he goes. I think he should stay one more year get his degree and continue to work on his game. A big conference and tourney season could turn all this around as well.

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[Brass Cannon 24,977]

1 hour ago, Yogi's Picnic Basket said:

The thing that worries me is I get he isn't gonna be our top scoring option as long as JBJ is here, but when OG went out he didn't dominate like I thought he should. At the same time he doesn't get enough touches. I saw a article on bleacher report saying that some scouts think if he slimmed down a bit and got quicker on his feet he could have a big impact. But if he can't scouts want him to get stronger to become a 1st. He could gain a lot by coming back I dont get why you guys think different. He could graduate in 3 years which is a huge advantage and he could decide whether he wants to try to play faster or stronger and go at that. A lot of kids have benefitted by coming back and vise versa it depends on the kids work ethic and TB's is awesome. I won't doubt this kid regardless of when he goes. I think he should stay one more year get his degree and continue to work on his game. A big conference and tourney season could turn all this around as well.

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I agree he does appear to have a great chance to change up his game a bit and be more impressive which I imagine is the feedback he will get and hopefully leads to him coming back. 

[Crimson and Cream 5,847]

I'll wait until after the B1G season to give my thoughts on this. He obviously hasn't dominated like some had hoped so far but we'll see how he does later in the season. Got to admit he does usually play better in the bigger games, which consequently enough are the games where he has more touches. This will be interesting to revisit later on.

[VO5 8,272]

I think he's gone regardless. He isn't going to be able to improve on his weaknesses at IU anymore imo. If he stays another year he's just another year older. The NBA loves young guys and potential

[Yogi's Picnic Basket 5,004]

I agree he does appear to have a great chance to change up his game a bit and be more impressive which I imagine is the feedback he will get and hopefully leads to him coming back. 

It is crazy no one else thinks he can change his game. NBA players do it still, so dont tell me a young college kid cant lol. Plus a degree is a huge goal of his for his mom too. Most moms, but she was very vocal on IG when he decided to come back. Not saying that will be why, but it isnt a bad fall back. People on here act like getting drafted in the second round is horrible. Most players dream of being drafted at all.

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[Yogi's Picnic Basket 5,004]

It is crazy no one else thinks he can change his game. NBA players do it still, so dont tell me a young college kid cant lol. Plus a degree is a huge goal of his for his mom too. Most moms, but she was very vocal on IG when he decided to come back. Not saying that will be why, but it isnt a bad fall back. People on here act like getting drafted in the second round is horrible. Most players dream of being drafted at all.

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I also think he comes back though, but only cause HE wants too. Depends how the rest of the season goes as well. Lot can change like I said and as we all know.

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[Brass Cannon 24,977]

Crean appears to be recruiting like either Moore will be ready to contribute Day 1 or he thinks Bryant will be back. Or I suppose he might just want to play 5 SFs which is actually possible. 

[Crimson and Cream 5,847]

22 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

Crean appears to be recruiting like either Moore will be ready to contribute Day 1 or he thinks Bryant will be back. Or I suppose he might just want to play 5 SFs which is actually possible. 

Well I think De'Ron should be starting next season hopefully so really the size issue is more of off the bench or if Davis gets in foul trouble/injured. 

[Bowhunter 2,720]

I think he is gone mostly because the longer you stay in college the more likely your draft stock drops. TB needs to play close to the paint and drift out to the 3, not play on the outside and drift inside on ocasion. I would like to see our guards get him the ball more. If I was a big man I would be pissed if all I was here for was putbacks and breakaways. Deron's defense is already better than his. So if I was a GM I would want to see more before taking him early.

[Uspshoosier 46,810]

I think he is gone mostly because the longer you stay in college the more likely your draft stock drops. TB needs to play close to the paint and drift out to the 3, not play on the outside and drift inside on ocasion. I would like to see our guards get him the ball more. If I was a big man I would be pissed if all I was here for was putbacks and breakaways. Deron's defense is already better than his. So if I was a GM I would want to see more before taking him early.

an example of someone one staying 4 years and improving their draft stock was Brice Johnson. People thought he would leave early and he was projected 2nd round after sophomore and junior year. He helped his stock with a strong senior year and was drafted in the 1st round. Doesn't happen often but there are cases where staying 4 years helps a kid



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[Demo 20,607]

18 hours ago, IUfan_Charlie said:

IDK if he'll leave, but if I were a NBA GM I wouldn't touch him until the mid 2nd round. He's a legitimately bad defender in college, imagine him going against NBA players. I mean he gets pushed out to the 3 point line sometimes when he tries to post up. Average athlete with slow feet and twig legs. I just don't see Bryant being a good NBA player. His best move imo is to try and become a stretch 4 but I don't think he'd be able to guard guys on the perimeter either. 

Pretty sure neither of us are going to be gm's any time soon, but if you're saying that a kid who's going to measure 6'11" in shoes with a 7'5" wingspan, who can make perimeter shots, who can make the correct pass both out of the post and on the perimeter, who flashes the ability to make plays off the dribble, who can run the floor and has a motor, who works at his game and is coachable, is a good teammate and competitor, and will be 19 years old on draft night, is a 40-50 player in June, yeah, no. That tool kit won't get out of the top 25. 

Bryant absolutely needs to improve his game. I agree with your view of some, though not all, of his flaws. But when that kid decides to go, he's going to have as long a career as he wants.