Talented College Hoops Players Better Off Staying One More Year to Earn Stock

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

For most college basketball players, it is a dream for them to hear their names called at Madison Square Garden during the NBA Draft so they can finally show off their skills against the greatest players in the world. 

Each have their own reasons for adding their names to the draft, but here are a few great players that need another season to better their chances of earning a spot in the National Basketball Association.

DeJuan Blair PF, Sophomore, Pittsburgh

We all know what this freak can do in the paint, and many are probably wondering why he is on the list.

After averaging a double-double for the season, owning UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet during the regular season, and playing a major role in Pitt’s No. 1 ranking for much of the season, Blair has plenty on his résumé to earn him a first round pick, if not a late lottery pick. 

With all that said, I think if Blair decides to stay in school, Pitt turns into a serious contender to win it all next season. Not to mention he will be able to work on his perimeter game and possibly lose a few pounds, which will almost guarantee him a lottery spot in 2010.

Nick Calathes G, Junior, Florida

After watching how much this kid developed from a freshman to a sophomore, I want to see what he will look like as a senior. After Florida's two National Titles, Calathes looked to be the key building block to getting the Gators back on the national stage.

Unfortunately, last season they were left out of the field of 65, but Calathes' numbers didn’t go unnoticed. If Calathes decides to leave for the NBA, the Gators could very well get left out again. He is vital to putting Florida back on the map and has the potential to be a future Steve Blake.

If he stays and increases his speed and proves to be the leader of his team, he can improve his stock from a second-rounder to a near lock in the first round. 

Dwayne Collins PF, Junior, Miami

Collins has an NBA prototype body but will have to stay for his senior year if he doesn’t want to risk going undrafted.

The junior out of Miami averaged just over 10 points and seven rebounds per game, and with his size and presence down low, I believe he will average a double-double next season.

With star guard Jack McClinton out of the picture, Collins must step up and be a leader if the Hurricanes want to compete in the ACC next season.

Brandon Costner PF, Junior, NC State

After putting up terrific numbers his freshman season, Costner fell into the sophomore slump. You can blame some of that on the addition of J.J. Hickson, who went to the NBA following his freshman season.

Last season, Costner raised his scoring average to 13 points a game, but he still has work to do to prove himself to scouts.  

There is no doubt the talent is there, as he proved two seasons ago, but he needs to get his scoring average up and show to be more of a dominating player and try to get N.C. State back into the top half of the ACC.

Bryan Davis PF, Junior, Texas A&M

Davis is a lot like Dwayne Collins; both have a good presence down low, but both need to increase their numbers and return for their senior season.  

If the Texas A&M junior decides to forgo his senior season and hire an agent, he most likely will go undrafted unless he has amazing workouts and surprises the scouts.

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