With McConnell's defensive ability and Mulcahy"s play making ability it might be possible for them to be valuable to an NBA team.
Could Mulcahy and McConnell make it to the next level?
- Thread starter gordel1
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Get paid to play basketball? Sure.
In the NBA? Probably not.
In the NBA? Probably not.
Every so often, you will see some foreign league basketball on some obscure channel. The one thing that is very obvious is how much slower the games are. Shooting is still pretty good. Unlike the NBA, they do have a rule against walking.
After a short career playing overseas, both would be good coaches in my opinion. I bet McConnel would be a great recruiter.
McConnell has the athleticism. But he's had years here to develop his shot and an offensive game and he hasn't done it. So, unfortunately, no.
I also wonder how much more basketball his body can take, to be honest. Josh Langford (Michigan State) had so many injuries over the years. He certainly could've found a spot in an overseas league but instead he's calling games for BTN.
Nope.
NBA guys are pretty obvious, they just aren’t quick enough.
Corey had the burst and quickness, he just didn’t have the shot.
Harper will probably get an NBA look because of his build/name.
Cliff is the only true NBA potential on this team, but needs to develop his shot a bit more.
NBA guys are pretty obvious, they just aren’t quick enough.
Corey had the burst and quickness, he just didn’t have the shot.
Harper will probably get an NBA look because of his build/name.
Cliff is the only true NBA potential on this team, but needs to develop his shot a bit more.
I could see Paul becoming a division one head coach in the future. I don’t think I’ve had that thought for any other RU player in the last 10+ years.
^ this ^
But I don’t think Harper has any shot either
the NBA is reserved for athletic unicorns. Mulcahy, McConnell and Harper are far from athletic uniforms - ZERO chance at NBA.
this does not take away from their contributions to this team. you see this all the time in basketball and football - i.e., players that are really good (or sometimes GREAT) in college but just dont have whats needed in the respective top pro league on the planet.
Cliff is a unicorn. He keeps developing and he has a shot.
Paul has a better shot than Caleb, if at all.
Caleb is one dimensional player, defense only, where Paul fits the current all around players in the NBA and continues to grow in confidence as a player, offensively, defensively, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks. etc.
21-22 Paul 8.9pts, 5.4ast, 4.3reb FG 43%, 3pt 34%
Last 4, 19.0pts, 7.5ast, 5.5reb FG 66.7%, 3pt 66.7% FT 4.5-5.3 85.7%
He continues to play anywhere close to that level, 15/6/6, 45-50%, 35-40%, til the end of the season into next year consistently, he will get NBA interest with his potential skill set as an all around player.
Caleb is one dimensional player, defense only, where Paul fits the current all around players in the NBA and continues to grow in confidence as a player, offensively, defensively, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks. etc.
21-22 Paul 8.9pts, 5.4ast, 4.3reb FG 43%, 3pt 34%
Last 4, 19.0pts, 7.5ast, 5.5reb FG 66.7%, 3pt 66.7% FT 4.5-5.3 85.7%
He continues to play anywhere close to that level, 15/6/6, 45-50%, 35-40%, til the end of the season into next year consistently, he will get NBA interest with his potential skill set as an all around player.
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Ron will get interest- but Cliff is the player who is built for the nba. Funny thing is - idk how Jaden Jones will progress (here or elsewhere) but he has the tools that can be developed for the nba.
Just my opinion ......
Caleb has the athleticism to be a wing and might be a good enough defender at the next level. His offense is definitely a concern - but the NBA currently covets 3 and D wings so you never know. My guess is likely not unless he finds an unbelievable shooting coach who can turn him into an efficient spot up 3 point shooter.
Unfortunately as valuable as Paul is to RU, he likely does not have the athletic measurables NBA scouts are looking for. He would likely have to be a lights out shooter to even get a sniff. He may have a shot in Europe.
Going to guess that Cliff will get drafted or an NBA look. His length, athleticism, wingspan and hand size all measure up. He also runs the floor is a quick jumper and also is pretty quick at repeat jumping. Kind of already reminds me of Mitch Robinson as a rookie. Cliff is also progressing on his post moves and mid range as well as working on outside shooting. IMO what might hold him back is his current ability to defend. He's a pretty good help defender, but is still getting beat on PNRs and by his own man often enough biting on low post moves.
RHJ will probably not get drafted but will get a look - maybe summer league camp. He's got a decent handle for a wing and is a streak shooter who can also play bully ball inside. He also has a long wingspan to defend on the wing and uses that and his wide body to rebound. However is is extremely right hand dominant and his shooting is too inconsistent.
Caleb has the athleticism to be a wing and might be a good enough defender at the next level. His offense is definitely a concern - but the NBA currently covets 3 and D wings so you never know. My guess is likely not unless he finds an unbelievable shooting coach who can turn him into an efficient spot up 3 point shooter.
Unfortunately as valuable as Paul is to RU, he likely does not have the athletic measurables NBA scouts are looking for. He would likely have to be a lights out shooter to even get a sniff. He may have a shot in Europe.
Going to guess that Cliff will get drafted or an NBA look. His length, athleticism, wingspan and hand size all measure up. He also runs the floor is a quick jumper and also is pretty quick at repeat jumping. Kind of already reminds me of Mitch Robinson as a rookie. Cliff is also progressing on his post moves and mid range as well as working on outside shooting. IMO what might hold him back is his current ability to defend. He's a pretty good help defender, but is still getting beat on PNRs and by his own man often enough biting on low post moves.
RHJ will probably not get drafted but will get a look - maybe summer league camp. He's got a decent handle for a wing and is a streak shooter who can also play bully ball inside. He also has a long wingspan to defend on the wing and uses that and his wide body to rebound. However is is extremely right hand dominant and his shooting is too inconsistent.
Caleb - could be a Dennis Rodman type player (without the antics and off the court crap). Same height. Would need to get a bit stronger.
I don’t watch the nba so I really have no idea.
It always surprises me at how few players out of the B1G actually get drafted. How is Ayo doing this year? I thought that big man who could shoot from Maryland would be a NBA lottery pick. So few actually get drafted.
It always surprises me at how few players out of the B1G actually get drafted. How is Ayo doing this year? I thought that big man who could shoot from Maryland would be a NBA lottery pick. So few actually get drafted.
Just curious if you watch or follow the current NBA. There are plenty of wings who basically just play D and shoot 3's. There are almost zero guys who can't defend without being unbelievably athletic or an offensive dynamo.
In the unlikely event Caleb can somehow become a proficient spot up 3 point shooter - he will have better chance than Paul.
Caleb will have a real (albeit small) chance to earn himself a spot on a roster next year if he chooses to return. National DPOY would not be out of the question for him. Should he return to RU and earn that as a double figure scorer he would have a real shot. It’s a different position - but the player style comparison to look at is Jevon Carter. Jevon scored more in his junior and senior years when WVU had go to scorers graduate so he was forced to do more and mostly turned defense into offense. Caleb may have that opportunity next season. His measurables will also be better than Carters.
Players can be successful in college but the NBA requires skillsets that are at a higher level .Consistent scoring is essential which includes the ability to create and make shots off the dribble.Lateral quickness on defense also in needed because the NBA is loaded with great shooters.Rutgers success has been based on over achieving rather than great individual talent.
Honestly this thread is evidence of RUs dearth of nba players over the decades ….
Since we haven’t put kids in the nba RU fans don’t recognize nba players when they see it (or lack thereof to be more precise)
you won’t find a bigger fan of Caleb or paul (my favorite two players) than me. But I will eat my shorts if they ever wear an nba uniform. Same goes for geo and Ron. None are remotely nba players.
However cliff absolutely could be. He has the physical attributes but he has work to do on both ends
Since we haven’t put kids in the nba RU fans don’t recognize nba players when they see it (or lack thereof to be more precise)
you won’t find a bigger fan of Caleb or paul (my favorite two players) than me. But I will eat my shorts if they ever wear an nba uniform. Same goes for geo and Ron. None are remotely nba players.
However cliff absolutely could be. He has the physical attributes but he has work to do on both ends
Your missing the point. When your drafted for defensive purposes as a utility player, your offensive skills matter a lot less. There are tons of much much better offensive players than Caleb whose offense isn’t good enough to contribute in the league. It doesn’t help their chances that their offense is better than his though. His purpose would be to play spot minutes covering a specific elite player. There aren’t nearly as many players who are truly known for elite defense.
This is why very few national DPOY winners ever haven’t at least gotten a look. Should Caleb return, he will be on watch lists for that. It’s obviously still a long shot, but it’s not impossible that he could compete for that award.
It’s extremely unlikely for both, but I could see a team giving Caleb a shot in Summer League and him making his way eventually. There are teams that value his main attributes: work ethic, size/length, and defense. Smart teams would look at his decent career FT% and see a player who’s shooting form they could correct to make an average shooter. If you get that, you get a 3 and D guy on a budget who can defend 4 positions.
NBA is a different thing than a lot of other sports’ pro leagues. Guys can be all-timers in college but if you don’t have the “body” that fills the NBA rosters you have no shot. Could Caleb be the national college defensive player of the year next year? Absolutely totally. Does Paul fill up the stat sheet? Heck yes. But to be in the NBA you need to be a certain build and have a certain type of movement. Guys that even don’t fill up the stat sheet in college but have that body style still get in the NBA. It’s whatever
Agree
right now if you told all 30 nba teams that they had to pick 1 Rutgers player - right now - all 30 would pick cliff. All 30. Based on his physical attributes and potential. Anyone who thinks otherwise just doesnt get it.
Look at the history. I’m not sure there’s ever been a national DPOY that didn’t at least get consideration in the league. It’s really hard to get that award and I’m not at all saying he’s not an extreme long shot to get it but he’s going to have a non-zero chance at it if he chooses not to go abroad.
I don’t think Paul has an NBA game. He could have a good career overseas. McConnell is intriguing. There are specialist all over the NBA. He has the ability to lock someone down and is super athletic. I think he will get a real shot there.
Eugene couldn’t beat out DeShawn Freeman as a freshman. He’s on an NBA 2-way contract
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