Ed Davis could go pro, but I hope he doesn't
Apr 1, 2009
I came across something recently that really made me think. North Carolina freshman Ed Davis could bolt for the NBA after one season with the Tar Heels.
I woke up around 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning like I usually do. I went over to ESPN.com's NBA page to check the scores to see if any of my cent sport bets came through. I lost five cents because the Lakers couldn't beat the Bobcats. That's when I stumbled on Chad Ford's mock lottery.
He took the time to predict the top 14 picks in this year's NBA draft. It shocked me when I saw not one of North Carolina's talented starters crack the predicted lottery. No Lawson, Ellington, Hansbrough, or Green. But sixth man Ed Davis did crack the list at No. 12.
By all means these mock drafts are just for fun, I don't even recall anyone in the media asking Davis if he has thought about turning pro yet. Since I won't see him again this year I will implore my colleagues to ask him at the Final Four. But if he decided to make a go at it and jump to the NBA, what a blow that would be to the Tar Heels.
The notion of Davis turning pro seems to be flying under the radar as he has been overshadowed by four talented starters who will all most likely be drafted. But we have talked about Davis' potential all season and how he will run the show in the post next year. Did we ever stop to think that he has so much potential to be great next year that the next level might be waiving money at him?
Davis certainly has the skill set to be attractive at the next level with his shot blocking ability, but he is so darn thin (215 lbs.) I think he would benefit by staying in school. But the NBA has made a pattern in throwing the money at kids who aren't quite ready. They draft on potential and Ed Davis has it.
Again, Chad Ford of ESPN.com came out with this list. I don't know if Davis is personally even thinking about making the jump. But if scouts come telling him he will definitely be a lottery pick, it will be hard to turn down. It's time to start thinking about the possibility. Sports Lunch host Mike Maniscalco worked in Richmond for six years before he came here. He said speculations were that Davis would go to the NBA right out of high school, and they were saying that when he was a sophomore (just when the rule was changed).
Davis would fall right in line with Marvin Williams and Brandan Wright as recent freshmen to be taken in the lottery. Just like that, all the good times we envisioned with Davis owning the ACC next year or two could be gone.
If I could change one thing about college basketball and the NBA. Don't allow kids to enter the draft until they are three years out of high school, just like the NFL. It sucks for the school to immediately have to recruit another talented big man, and it sucks for the fan bases that didn't get much of a chance to enjoy him in the first place.
