Does Swanigan leave for the NBA?

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I know Blake is more athletic & different style. I don't ever expect to see Biggie jumping cars...but they both pile up double/doubles.... and I still thing CS's body & ability will continue to change. The kid is only 19. Look at the transformation he's made over the last 5 years. He's changed dramatically from 1 year to the next. And no one will ever convince me he won't be a better draft pick a year from now than he is now... barring injury.

Maybe my reply was harsh, 4.....or was too sarcastic. I appreciate that you admire what he's done.....as I do.....and that he's been a stellar example/representative of the Purdue student body.

Perhaps you/we are thinking productivity...as opposed to skill set......there is more similarity there. Griffin has more versatility on defense, but Biggie probably could play undersized 5's. I don't doubt he could improve his draft status.....perhaps into the back of the lottery. I think most would disagree with you (and that's ok) he could ever be a top 5/10 pick.....and that's partly a function of where the NBA game itself is going.

The question for Biggie IMO is it worth it to him to stay, not only from an injury standpoint, but also delaying financial stability for him and his family by a year. I've said there might be a very minute chance he could change his mind from what he said last year.....if there was something left he wanted to accomplish at Purdue. Very remote....and most people disagree with me on that.

Let's enjoy his play and example as long as possible.....next week is very likely his last game in Mackey arena playing for the Boilermakers.

 

[TC4THREE]

Any pro league he signs with will pay him more to play basketball than a Purdue degree would in year one.

I don't know about that. Depends on the degree and the pro league he goes to. If you're talking about whatever degree he's pursuing, which I'm not sure what it is, then maybe. There are certainly some majors that you can start out at very good starting salaries and not all the foreign leagues pay that much. NBDL pays very little from what I've seen.

 

[*4purdue*]

Maybe my reply was harsh, 4.....or was too sarcastic. I appreciate that you admire what he's done.....as I do.....and that he's been a stellar example/representative of the Purdue student body.

Perhaps you/we are thinking productivity...as opposed to skill set......there is more similarity there. Griffin has more versatility on defense, but Biggie probably could play undersized 5's. I don't doubt he could improve his draft status.....perhaps into the back of the lottery. I think most would disagree with you (and that's ok) he could ever be a top 5/10 pick.....and that's partly a function of where the NBA game itself is going.

The question for Biggie IMO is it worth it to him to stay, not only from an injury standpoint, but also delaying financial stability for him and his family by a year. I've said there might be a very minute chance he could change his mind from what he said last year.....if there was something left he wanted to accomplish at Purdue. Very remote....and most people disagree with me on that.

Let's enjoy his play and example as long as possible.....next week is very likely his last game in Mackey arena playing for the Boilermakers.

Productivity is probably a better word. I never said or meant to imply that I think he will stay. I think he should stay....for my benefit as a Purdue fan

 

[Dryfly88]

I don't know about that. Depends on the degree and the pro league he goes to. If you're talking about whatever degree he's pursuing, which I'm not sure what it is, then maybe. There are certainly some majors that you can start out at very good starting salaries and not all the foreign leagues pay that much. NBDL pays very little from what I've seen.

Major is General Education/Education Studies (whatever that is). I think it's pretty safe to say he will make more playing basketball than not.

 

[TC4THREE]

Major is General Education/Education Studies (whatever that is). I think it's pretty safe to say he will make more playing basketball than not.

Yes HE probably will in his situation. I wouldn't recommend that as a plan for most though. Overseas doesn't always pay a ton and you are limited for how long that can last too. I'd go ahead and finish my degree (unless I were staring at first round guaranteed money) so that I have real earning potential after playing. I wouldn't want to bet on a non-NBA career earning me enough to set me up for life, let alone me, my wife/kids, and potentially extended family.

 

[lbodel]

He was dead set on going last year. Said he'd be willing to play in the D-league if he thought he would be drafted, even in the second round. He believes he will continue to develop at the higher level against better competition and work himself into a rotation. He will absolutely get drafted and in his mind I think it's irrelevant whether we're talking first or second round.

How much do you think his draft stock would really improve coming back for another year? They told him to go get a jump shot, he went and got a jump shot. They said he needs to be able to defend the perimeter, he's made strides there. At the end of the day though, he is who he is. He is getting about as much national exposure as he can get now and averaging a turnover less per game isn't going to change that. Next year's draft will still be loaded with young athletes from Duke and Kentucky, but Caleb would be a year older. That's the only difference. There's no reason he doesn't go this year.

On another note, If you're around Lafayette and can get tickets please go and watch him one last time in Mackey against Indiana. I know people are critical of him for some decisions, turnovers, bad shots etc, but he could have gone almost anywhere and he chose to stay home. We've all heard his story a hundred times so I think we get numb to it, but what he's been able to overcome to get where he is is absolutely incredible. His hard work and leadership set the standard for everyone else and have brought us along to a top 15 ranking nationally and he's put us in the driver's seat to bring home another big ten title. I, like a lot of you haven't missed a game in years and have so much pride in our basketball program. He has made us relevant in ways that we haven't been since the baby boilers. I am so grateful that he chose to spend his college years here with us instead of going to some NBA prep factory. I'll be proud to watch him at the next level no matter where that takes him, and I wish him the absolute best.

The public talk by someone who's guardian is a sports agent only means so much. If he was willing to play in the d-league, he could have gone. He had a major reality check playing against the talent he was competing with pre-draft. It's just not the same.

 

[lbodel]

Only scenario I see him returning to Purdue next year is that we reach the Final Four or the Elite Eight, and then lose to someone by a small margin. That might prompt him to return one more year to go all the way. I know it is not likely (not the going-so-far part, but the part about Biggie actually staying), but wouldn't it be scary? We'd be returning everyone but Spike. I think we'd still be ranked without him, but with Biggie we would be a bona-fide championship contender.

I think it's the exact opposite. He needs some big game fulfillment. We haven't beaten a top 10 team this year (and haven't played many either). I think he'd be more willing to come back, partially for himself and partially for the team, if he thinks he could accomplish more/unfinished business. Obviously doing well in big games also helps your exposure/stock.

 

[Boilerkid18]

Nigel Hayes decided to stay, look where that got him. (Though theyre two completely different players/work ethic)

Biggie gone.

 

[*4purdue*]

Nigel Hayes decided to stay, look where that got him. (Though theyre two completely different players/work ethic)

Biggie gone.

That's like saying Travis Carroll stayed all 4 years, look what that got him. Bad comparison.

 

[Chuchumutha]

Swanigan has (obviously) had a phenomenal season, but none of the mock draft I've seen (from the so-called experts) have him higher than the mid-second round. Ignoring for a moment whether these projections are correct, assuming he is projected as a second round pick, does he leave, or does he come back?

Put another way, how high would he have to be projected to go in order to leave early?

Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Hell Yes!

 

[Heller]

Swanigan wants to be a teacher when he is finished playing basketball. He is very serious about his education and I believe he will have something like a year and a half remaining.

He is leaving barring something unforeseen as Painter is actively shopping his scholarship to recruits especially any 2017 remaining bigs.

 

[Dryfly88]

That's like saying Travis Carroll stayed all 4 years, look what that got him. Bad comparison.

His point with Nigel is valid. His draft stock has gone down since his Sophomore year. In other words staying longer in school doesn't always mean your draft stock gets better.

TC never had any "draft stock" so that is a bad comparison.

 

[TC4THREE]

That's like saying Travis Carroll stayed all 4 years, look what that got him. Bad comparison.

Agree. Terrible comparison.

 

[*4purdue*]

His point with Nigel is valid. His draft stock has gone down since his Sophomore year. In other words staying longer in school doesn't always mean your draft stock gets better.

TC never had any "draft stock" so that is a bad comparison.

I don't remember Nigel having any draft stock either. He was 3rd team all B1G. Your comparing him to a possible NPOY and 1St team AA?

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Yes HE probably will in his situation. I wouldn't recommend that as a plan for most though. Overseas doesn't always pay a ton and you are limited for how long that can last too. I'd go ahead and finish my degree (unless I were staring at first round guaranteed money) so that I have real earning potential after playing. I wouldn't want to bet on a non-NBA career earning me enough to set me up for life, let alone me, my wife/kids, and potentially extended family.

He's only 20 credits away from graduation after this spring. And his adoptive father is worth $14M, so I'm guessing he's not worried about the cost of getting the degree later.

 

[TC4THREE]

He's only 20 credits away from graduation after this spring. And his adoptive father is worth $14M, so I'm guessing he's not worried about the cost of getting the degree later.

Didn't say he was. Please read.

 

[threeeputtt]

Not even close, he is gone. Thanks for the memories Biggie!

 

[Dryfly88]

I don't remember Nigel having any draft stock either. He was 3rd team all B1G. Your comparing him to a possible NPOY and 1St team AA?

I think you're forgetting how highly he was thought of after his Sophomore year. I have attached an article that mentions he was as high as #16 in the 2016 mock draft early in his Junior year. He has dropped like a rock since then.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/05/2016_nba_draft_workouts_wiscon.html

You need to go back and read the previous posts. No one is comparing them as players now. We are simply pointing out that staying in school doesn't always improve your draft stock, and in fact it can actually hurt it. Nigel was/is the perfect example and Boilerkid used him correctly in his post.

 

[TC4THREE]

Still a terrible example.

 

[Dryfly88]

Still a terrible example.

Nigel is the perfect example of a player that had a high draft stock and lost massive ground (and money) by staying in school. Nobody said that would happen to Caleb if he stayed. Boilerkid even said that they were different players with different work ethics.

4Purdue then said that was like saying Travis Carroll stayed all 4 years look what it got him. I'm pointing out that Nigel was at one time projected as the #16 pick in the draft, he isn't Travis Carroll.

Don't really know what your problem is with this line of discussion. Nobody is putting Caleb down or saying that him staying would result in the same outcome. It is a fact that staying in school does not always improve your draft stock and Nigel is a current example of that. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[TC4THREE]

Absolutely horrid comparison.

 

[Dryfly88]

Absolutely horrid comparison.

TC: I don't know what your problem is but unless you want to add some sort of substance to the discussion why don't you just stay out of the thread? There is no rule that you have to be a part of every discussion is there? You get into these petty pissing matches all the time with numerous posters and it doesn't add anything except to your post count. High volume doesn't equal high content.

 

[TC4THREE]

Completely worthless comparison.

 

[Dryfly88]

Completely worthless comparison.

Thanks for reinforcing my point. I won't contribute to your post count any longer. Have a nice night.

 

[TC4THREE]

Thanks for reinforcing my point. I won't contribute to your post count any longer. Have a nice night.

At least you would be contributing something then.

Good night.

 

[*4purdue*]

I think you're forgetting how highly he was thought of after his Sophomore year. I have attached an article that mentions he was as high as #16 in the 2016 mock draft early in his Junior year. He has dropped like a rock since then.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/05/2016_nba_draft_workouts_wiscon.html

You need to go back and read the previous posts. No one is comparing them as players now. We are simply pointing out that staying in school doesn't always improve your draft stock, and in fact it can actually hurt it. Nigel was/is the perfect example and Boilerkid used him correctly in his post.

Dry, I like most of your post, but this blog or whatever it is is really vague. He could have been projected as a high schooler for 2 years following. I don't remember him ever having high draft stock and if he did, he would have ended up in the D league. I don't think that will happen to Biggie. NH just isn't a pro... Europe maybe. No way Biggies stock drops if he comes back next year. He works to hard on his game and will only get better. Only way he would drop is if he got hurt.

 

[FleeTheScene]

His draft stock probably wouldn't rise all that much if he came back for his junior campaign. No one is drafting him because they expect him to lock down Lebron or because they're expecting him to hit a clutch 3 at the end of a big game. The things he would be doing at the next level (scoring from the post, rebounding) he already does well. The NBA would want him to be serviceable in other areas so he's not so much a liability that he can't be on the floor.

Now to put what may be a little false hope into all of our hearts. I just reread an article from when Swanigan came back last year. He told Andy Katz that he figured he would be a second round pick and knew he could do better, so he came back. Realistically he's still a second rounder this year and probably the next 2, but hopefully he sides with you guys and thinks it'll be worth it to give it one more go with quite possibly the best team we've ever had. My opinion is that he should and will go.

 

[Dryfly88]

Dry, I like most of your post, but this blog or whatever it is is really vague. He could have been projected as a high schooler for 2 years following. I don't remember him ever having high draft stock and if he did, he would have ended up in the D league. I don't think that will happen to Biggie. NH just isn't a pro... Europe maybe. No way Biggies stock drops if he comes back next year. He works to hard on his game and will only get better. Only way he would drop is if he got hurt.

I'm with you, I don't think Caleb is anything like Nigel (personality or work ethic) and that was stated by Boilerkid and I agreed. I think that's where this went off the rails. It was taken as if we were saying this was going to happen to Caleb because it happened to Nigel. That wasn't the point at all. We were simply saying that staying in school doesn't always result in a better draft position and here is one glaring example (Nigel).

Bottom line is I think there is virtually no chance CS comes back barring an injury between now and draft deadline. I think that's the right decision.

Here is a draft projection from November of 2015 with Nigel at #23. He was highly thought of after his sophomore year. He has dropped off so much that people forget how highly he was thought of earlier in his career.

http://thehoopdoctors.com/2015/11/2016-nba-mock-draft-version-1-0/#24

 

[Heller]

Nigel Hayes is a heck of a player. When Kaminsky was there Hayes draft stock was pretty good. Now that he is the focus of double teams and having to,carry the team he isn't as effective. He is better as a role player but he has skills and will play somewhere. I think he has NBA chops but we will see.

And TC, quit being an asshole.

 

[TC4THREE]

And TC, quit being an asshole.

Heller. You've known me since the IndyStar message boards. You know that's just not going to happen. If people want to provoke me, I'm fine with being a jerk in return.

 

[Heller]

Heller. You've known me since the IndyStar message boards. You know that's just not going to happen. If people want to provoke me, I'm fine with being a jerk in return.

It's your call.

 

[lbodel]

Nigel Hayes is a heck of a player. When Kaminsky was there Hayes draft stock was pretty good. Now that he is the focus of double teams and having to,carry the team he isn't as effective. He is better as a role player but he has skills and will play somewhere. I think he has NBA chops but we will see.

And TC, quit being an asshole.

Talking about Hayes can be relevant to Swanigan - Hayes has struggled since stars around him have left as you point out.

Next year, Purdue brings pretty much their entire team back - Swanigan would be in a great situation and get a lot more attention as Purdue would probably be a top 5, 10 team.

Again, I'm not going to debate what's going to happen as you have no idea what happens between now and then. But there's two sides to everything.

 

[Heller]

Talking about Hayes can be relevant to Swanigan - Hayes has struggled since stars around him have left as you point out.

Next year, Purdue brings pretty much their entire team back - Swanigan would be in a great situation and get a lot more attention as Purdue would probably be a top 5, 10 team.

Again, I'm not going to debate what's going to happen as you have no idea what happens between now and then. But there's two sides to everything.

Yes there are two sides. Fans want him back, he and his family planned on him leaving. So apparently does Coach Painter who is recruiting even now for his scholarship. Also when these things happen it can change the entire chemistry of a team. Going all the way back to Kyle Macy, if Parkinson's isn't injured and doesent come back, Macy may have stayed. Fast forward to Bryson Scott. Painter brings in a kid in October to take Bryson's spot. Not arguing the rights or wrongs just saying it can alter a dynamic that kids have been planning on for a whole year.

 

[Dryfly88]

Heller. You've known me since the IndyStar message boards. You know that's just not going to happen. If people want to provoke me, I'm fine with being a jerk in return.

Nobody provoked you, go back and read the thread from the beginning. I tried to be reasonable and explain the point that was being made. You were just being an asshole like Heller said. Then you follow me over to another thread last night and try to get it started again. No reason for it. I come here to talk PU hoops and enjoy the interaction with fellow fans. You seem to enjoy the conflict and actually go looking for it. I don't really get why someone would want that in their life but your choice.

I believe it was Bernard Shaw who said " Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it". I'm going to take his advice and walk away from this and you.

 

[TC4THREE]

Nobody provoked you, go back and read the thread from the beginning. I tried to be reasonable and explain the point that was being made. You were just being an asshole like Heller said. Then you follow me over to another thread last night and try to get it started again. No reason for it. I come here to talk PU hoops and enjoy the interaction with fellow fans. You seem to enjoy the conflict and actually go looking for it. I don't really get why someone would want that in their life but your choice.

I believe it was Bernard Shaw who said " Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it". I'm going to take his advice and walk away from this and you.

You initiated it. I finished it. You cried.