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Morris: Downey needs another year of seasoning
South Carolina's Devan Downey, left, and Mike Holmes, right, tie up Mississippi State guard Dee Bost during their game in the Southeastern Conference men's tournament, Friday March 13, 2009 in Tampa, Fla. Mississippi State won 82-68.
Chris O'Meara/AP
Posted on 03.22.09
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Projected starting lineup
POS. PLAYER HGT. WGT. CLASS
F Dominique Archie 6-7 200 Sr.
F Mike Holmes 6-7 230 Jr.
C Sam Muldrow 6-9 216 Jr.
G Devan Downey 5-9 175 Sr.
G Lakeem Jackson 6-3 215 Fr. OR
Brandis Raley-Ross 6-2 193 Sr.
DEVAN DOWNEY SAYS he is not ready to talk about his prospects of leaving South Carolina early to enter the NBA. Based on talks with a couple of NBA scouts, I’ll take the liberty of speaking for Downey.
USC’s diminutive and talented point guard needs to stay in school, get his degree and hope he gets drafted following the 2009-10 season. Should he enter this June’s draft, he will not be selected.
I should preface this discussion by saying it might be necessary for Downey to leave college basketball now and head to Europe as a way to support his family in Chester. From the get-go, Downey can earn a six-figure salary abroad.
No one would fault Downey for wanting to take care of his family. Still, the more prudent decision would be to remain in school, earn a degree, improve his game during his senior season and enhance his chances of being drafted a year from now.
There are a few particulars to know about an underclassman who chooses to leave school early for a professional career. The player must enter his name in the NBA draft by April 26. He has until June 15 to withdraw it and retain his college eligibility. At no point can he sign with an agent, or he forfeits his amateur status.
Both scouts discussed Downey’s situation anonymously because NBA personnel are not allowed to talk publicly about underclassmen. Both said Downey might be wise to enter his name into the draft pool so he can work out with draft prospects and gain a better understanding of where he stands.
The scouts also said Downey has a couple of factors working against him this year. There are not many 5-foot-9 guards in the NBA because pro teams generally can find the same talent in players who are 5-to-8 inches taller. Also, this happens to be a year when the draft is deep at the point-guard position.
Any discussion of Downey begins with the fact that he is a terrific college basketball player and a game-changer on both ends of the court, according to his coach, Darrin Horn. Downey was a candidate for SEC player of the year because no player in the league caused more consternation for the opposition.
Unfortunately for Downey, the NBA is a different game. On offense, a player must be able to contribute without the ball in his hands. In that respect, Downey is a one-dimensional player who must be in possession of the ball to be effective. On defense, the NBA is a game of isolation, whether it is one-on-one or two-on-two. Downey’s size can be exploited in isolation situations.
Rare is the under 5-10 player who makes it in the NBA. Those who do have one quality to their game that separates them from the rest. Spud Webb was 5-7 but had a 42-inch vertical leap that allowed him to dunk and play taller than he stood. Muggsy Bogues was 5-3 but countered his lack of height with amazing quickness that did not allow opponents to easily handle the ball against him.
Today, the champion of the little guys is Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks. Like Downey, he is 5-9. Robinson recently won the NBA’s slam-dunk competition. In his fourth NBA season, he also benefited greatly this year from New York’s coaching change. Robinson is just now showcasing his exceptional shooting talents in a run-and-gun Knicks attack.
There is every reason to believe Downey can someday play in the NBA, but this is not the year to go out. In its mock NBA draft, the Web site Draftexpress.com lists 17 points guards being selected in the two rounds. Downey is not one of them. Another site, NBAdraft.net, lists Downey as the 21st-best available point guard.
The reality of the NBA draft is that only the 30 players selected in the first round are guaranteed a paycheck. Each of those 30 will receive million-dollar bonuses and collect money for making an NBA roster for a couple of years, at least.
Since there are only two rounds, the second round has become more about securing the rights to foreign players. Many teams draft foreign players and never negotiate a contract with the pick, opting instead to watch him play a season or two overseas.
So if Downey is not projected to be a first-round pick, which he is not, he would be wise to stay in school. There is much for Downey to gain by remaining at USC, not the least of which is a degree.
Beyond that, Downey could improve his game by playing more without the ball. He also could develop into a 3-point sharpshooter. He will be a leading candidate for SEC player-of-the-year honors, and many players have seen their stock skyrocket after a strong NCAA tournament performance. With Downey leading the charge, USC is a likely candidate for the NCAA tournament next season.
One thing every scout knows about Downey is that when he sets his mind to something, it usually gets done. There is an inner fire in this dynamo that sets him apart. Tell him “no,” and he often answers with an emphatic “Yes!”
He also is smart enough to know when to pick his spots, as USC fans have seen the past two seasons on the basketball court. Off the court, he needs to do the same, and this is not the time for him to leave for the NBA.
One more season of college ball could make Downey a first-round NBA pick. If not, the six-figure salary that goes with playing overseas still awaits.
Listen to Morris Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. on ESPN Radio 93.1 FM.
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