Syracuse sophomore forward Jerami Grant and Michigan sophomore forward Glenn Robinson III are both headed to the NBA Draft.
“After extensive discussions with my family and coaches, I have decided to pursue my dream of playing professional basketball and enter the 2014 NBA Draft,” Grant announced. “I am so thankful to coach [Jim] Boeheim and the rest of the Orange coaching staff for guiding me throughout my college career, and am grateful to my teammates for two incredible seasons. I am excited to start my journey in the NBA, but I also look forward to finishing my college degree. I cannot thank my coaches, teammates and the entire Orange community enough for all of their support.”
“We’d like to thank Jerami for his tremendous contribution to Syracuse Basketball over the last two years,” said Boeheim. “We wish him well in all of his future endeavors.”
DraftExpress.com has the 6-foot-8 Grant going at No. 20 to the Toronto Raptors, and the 6-6 Robinson III going No. 27, also to the Raptors.
“Grant is not ready for the NBA,” one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv. “No position and very little skill level. Robinson’s two biggest concerns are his motor and lack of ball skill as a three. To me, both are NBA backups.”
Grant averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Orange and is the second player to declare for the draft from this year’s team, following freshman point guard Tyler Ennis, a likely lottery pick.
Robinson III averaged 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Wolverines, who lost to Kentucky in the Elite 8.
Jake Fischer of the Boston Globe reported the Robinson III news.
Grant’s decision is interesting considering what Boeheim told me last month.
“If you go 15th in the draft, you’re nothing,” he said. “You might be out of the league in two years.”
He added: “You gotta be in the top seven, eight, 10 picks to make sure you’re going to be playing in the NBA.”
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