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Username Post: Lee declares for draft        (Topic#28044)
umbrellaman 
Masters Student
Posts: 476
umbrellaman
Reg: 11-21-04
04-05-24 07:17 PM - Post#367068    

https://x.com/wojespn/status/177638 6647157862465?s...

This is nuts. He’s not physically ready for the NBA. He needs to bulk up not to wear down in division I.

 
TigerFan 
PhD Student
Posts: 1891

Reg: 11-21-04
Re: Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 07:26 PM - Post#367069    
    In response to umbrellaman

I agree completely, Umbrellaman. He is a great talent but he faded at the end of the season, which I assume was due to being worn down (and extended illness, which could be related to the first issue).

I really, really hope that he stays at Princeton two more years, bulks up, helps take the Tigers to another level and then tries for the NBA. I assume there is a strategy here. Does this help him gain exposure to pull off an endorsement deal?



 
TigerFan 
PhD Student
Posts: 1891

Reg: 11-21-04
04-05-24 07:36 PM - Post#367070    
    In response to TigerFan

According to Kyle Franko, Xaivian has until June 16 to decide whether to return to school or stay in the draft.

 
gokinsmen 
Postdoc
Posts: 3674

Reg: 02-06-10
Re: Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 07:51 PM - Post#367071    
    In response to TigerFan

  • TigerFan Said:
I assume there is a strategy here. Does this help him gain exposure to pull off an endorsement deal?



That's part of it. An announcement from Woj himself tells me this is a (great) PR move. I also noticed he signed with Tosan's agent, George Langberg. But it's mostly about meeting with NBA teams and getting feedback.

On paper, this is the right move for Xaivian - get NBA feedback on what he needs to work on for this season (defense? midrange? physique?), then ride a great March 2025 to a 1st round pick in June 2025.

I'm 99% sure he'll return for his junior year, but to me, this confirms he's probably gone after that, which I speculated earlier in the year, but still... wow.

 
gokinsmen 
Postdoc
Posts: 3674

Reg: 02-06-10
Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 07:52 PM - Post#367072    
    In response to gokinsmen

To help settle anyone's stomach...

https://twitter.com/NJHoopsHaven/status/1 776388384...

  • Quote:
Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven
This was expected. High likelihood Lee will be back at Old Nassau next season.



While I won't be 100% at ease until he's officially back, I think it's amazing that an Ivy soph is getting this kind of attention. It's the kind of thing that appeals to recruits who think they can't go to NBA from the Ivy.

 
umbrellaman 
Masters Student
Posts: 476
umbrellaman
Reg: 11-21-04
Re: Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 09:20 PM - Post#367073    
    In response to gokinsmen

Armond Hill came back to get his degree after his NBA career - although he also made it to his senior season.

 
gokinsmen 
Postdoc
Posts: 3674

Reg: 02-06-10
Re: Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 10:45 PM - Post#367076    
    In response to umbrellaman

Breathing yet another sigh of relief:

https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2024/04/...

  • Quote:
“I think it was the smart thing to do,” Lee told The Daily Princetonian in an interview. “Not necessarily leaving for the NBA, but testing the waters and seeing where I’m at against that level of competition … That is ultimately how I can get better and set myself up for the future.”



  • Quote:
“That was the important part of it [maintaining my eligibility],” Lee added. “I’m entering this process … open-minded and I have intentions of coming back to school for sure."



Again, it seems he's doing the common move of declaring for the draft for the exposure and feedback. I think Lee can be a 1st round pick if he has a "March Moment" next season and this is a great opportunity to see what NBA teams think he needs to work on most.

 
SRP 
Postdoc
Posts: 4914

Reg: 02-04-06
04-06-24 04:35 PM - Post#367084    
    In response to gokinsmen

Yep. Not like entering the transfer portal.

 
Penndemonium 
PhD Student
Posts: 1900

Reg: 11-29-04
04-17-24 02:13 AM - Post#367499    
    In response to SRP

I *think* that you can only enter and withdraw once from the NBA draft, so he won't be able to do this move again between his junior and senior season.

 
gokinsmen 
Postdoc
Posts: 3674

Reg: 02-06-10
Lee declares for draft
04-17-24 04:38 PM - Post#367548    
    In response to Penndemonium

According to Wikipedia, you can withdraw twice.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligibility_for_ the_...

That said, I expect Lee to stay in the draft after next season. It's clear that NBA teams have serious interest - he's not just a fringe prospect.

 
PennFan10 
Postdoc
Posts: 3588

Reg: 02-15-15
Re: Lee declares for draft
04-19-24 10:11 AM - Post#367605    
    In response to gokinsmen

How is it "clear"? Is there anything in the public record from NBA evaluators that says he is a clear prospect? Isn't that why he declared? To find out their opinions? I have no opinion here, just wondering if I am missing some press about this.

 
HARVARDDADGRAD 
Postdoc
Posts: 2695

Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
04-19-24 10:36 AM - Post#367608    
    In response to PennFan10

I recall reports of NBA scouts at Princeton Men's games this season. Who else could they have been scouting?

 
gokinsmen 
Postdoc
Posts: 3674

Reg: 02-06-10
Lee declares for draft
04-19-24 02:15 PM - Post#367610    
    In response to HARVARDDADGRAD

Yep, after his dazzling non-conf, many NBA scouts started attending Lee's Ivy games. First one on record was his 33p/8r/7a game against Harvard (probably scouted Mack too). More followed. Lots of reports like this:

https://twitter.com/Richard37215662/statu s/1744382...

  • Quote:
9 NBA scouts in to see him Saturday. 20 expected at Columbia.


https://twitter.com/_borisberic/status/17 564375172...
https://twitter.com/Richard37215662/statu s/1761396...
https://twitter.com/kj_franko/status/1776 388671865...

Also, an Ivy League sophomore doesn't sign with an agent and declare for the draft unless he's already heard from NBA teams.

 
Bryan 
Junior
Posts: 233

Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-21-04
04-30-24 02:23 PM - Post#367908    
    In response to gokinsmen

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic wrote an article with his 2024 NBA Draft Big Board on April 19th. Xaivian was #63 on his list.

 
gokinsmen 
Postdoc
Posts: 3674

Reg: 02-06-10
Lee declares for draft
04-30-24 03:26 PM - Post#367911    
    In response to Bryan

Sounds about right. This site has him as a 2nd rounder this year and the 9th ranked PG in 2025.

https://nbadraftroom.com/xaivian-lee/

Seems like the best play for Xaivian would be coming back for one more season and shining in March. He could move himself into the 1st round with a monster junior year.

But it's certainly smart to introduce himself to NBA teams early on. Do a bunch of workouts, maybe earn a Combine invite.

 
ToothlessTiger 
Senior
Posts: 337

Age: 76
Reg: 03-28-15
04-30-24 05:02 PM - Post#367916    
    In response to gokinsmen

I saw every one of his games last season, most in person. He is not ready for the NBA. If his game jumps next year as much as it did this year he will undoubtedly reach first round status. Just not yet.

 
palestra38 
Professor
Posts: 32840

Reg: 11-21-04
Lee declares for draft
04-30-24 05:17 PM - Post#367917    
    In response to ToothlessTiger

I guess it's time to transfer to St John's---I'm only half saying that in jest. Doing the NBA workouts doesn't only expose him to the NBA scouts, but also to the NIL scouts.

 
gokinsmen 
Postdoc
Posts: 3674

Reg: 02-06-10
Lee declares for draft
04-30-24 05:44 PM - Post#367918    
    In response to palestra38

The fact that Lee himself said that he plans on returning tells me he knows he's not ready. But it can't hurt to get feedback from NBA teams on what he needs to work on.

Lots of players declare for the draft and then withdraw. It's nice to know where you stand with NBA teams -- are you just another fringe prospect? Or do they honestly think you're 1st round material?

 
PennFan10 
Postdoc
Posts: 3588

Reg: 02-15-15
04-30-24 06:15 PM - Post#367920    
    In response to gokinsmen

280+ have officially declared for early entry to the NBA draft (not including graduating seniors) that features 60 picks.



 
HARVARDDADGRAD 
Postdoc
Posts: 2695

Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
04-30-24 06:33 PM - Post#367921    
    In response to PennFan10

Better chance to be drafted than to apply to most Ivies for a spot in freshman class!

 
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