I'm curious what people think of Swanigan's pro prospects. The general consensus here is that he's gone after this year. There was at least one article that said he should be in the conversation for national player of the year. However, I've seen several mock draft boards that he's not on at all. So much of playing the 4 at the next level depends on guarding the perimeter, which I think he still has to show an ability to do at the college level. Conventional wisdom typically says you stick around if you aren't going to be a first round pick. Do you guys see Swanigan as a slam dunk first rounder next year?
Swanigan pro prospects
- Thread starter FleeTheScene
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No, not a slam dunk, but he can still make a ton of money playing pro ball somewhere. He's shooting 60% from 3 and averages a double double. I mean that's not really common. I wish him the best either way. He's earned it.
I think he's worth a late second round look by most teams in 2017. But I think a guy who's going to be reliant on skill/technique over athleticism should stay in college as long as possible if he wants a long career.
If Draymond Green is his model (5-star recruit), he should stay all four years. Could win the B1G POY, maybe All-American, to boost his visibility.
If Draymond Green is his model (5-star recruit), he should stay all four years. Could win the B1G POY, maybe All-American, to boost his visibility.
I'd wait until the end of the season to tout his perimeter shot. Thus far it's been on such a limited basis that if he has a mini-slump that is going to come down very quickly.
I'm pretty sure that wasn't my point. obviously I don't expect anyone on the team to maintain that %.
I don't expect him to maintain it either. My point is that it might not even end up looking good at all by the end of the year. This isn't like Ryan Cline shooting 8 of 10 and figuring he will come down to somewhere around 50% by the end of the year. Swanigan could go 3-20 from 3 the rest of the year and we wouldn't be shocked. I wouldn't really list it as a positive attribute that will change his draft status at this point.
Just to be clear, those are 2 separate things you're talking about - how high of a ceiling he has in the NBA vs. his decision to stay/leave. In my opinion, he is absolutely done after this year barring injury. There was a very strong chance he wouldn't get drafted even in the 2nd round last year and he was on the fence coming back even with that prognosis. I give it a very slim chance he returns, especially if there isn't a dominant team built around him that will have Purdue hanging around the top-5 or top-10 next year. The latter is the only way I think he gives returning a second thought.
As far as his pro prospects, I think he has potential as a fringe 1st rounder to mid-2nd rounder (sort of like AJ). I don't think he's a slam dunk for 1st round by any means. But I think he'll commit to the camps and combines and work his butt off to get on a team because that's the kind of work ethic and drive he has (or the work ethic and drive I perceive him to have, since I obviously don't know him personally).
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Spot on.
Everyone needs to separate his draft prospects with him leaving. His comments last year about being willing to just make a roster are not typical of a "leave 2 years early player". Typically if a player isn't 1st round or at the very top of the 2nd round, they are staying. That isn't necessarily the case for Caleb.
Now as far as NBA potential: He has a lot to prove if he is to even get to the top of the 2nd round next draft. Right now he isn't even in the Draft Express mock draft. That's 60 picks and he isn't listed. He is 6'71/2" and can't jump or move laterally with any quickness. That is a terrible combination in today's NBA. He is way too short to guard the post and he is too slow to guard the perimeter. For those that say defense doesn't matter in the NBA, you obviously don't watch much of it. They will isolate you and work you over until the coach has to take you out. On offense he would struggle to get his shot off and he needs to prove with more attempts that his long range shooting has improved.
His work ethic is a big plus as well as his desire to rebound. To move up in the draft he will have to show that the other things I listed have been improved on for the effort to matter. Just one persons opinion, but not being listed in a mock draft in December is a huge red flag.
I agree. I watch "pros" all the time that can't play for shit. Look at the Pacers roster. Half those guys can't play. lavoy allen? I'd take swani all day. I hope he doesn't listen to anyone either. The world is full of idiot naysayers and he should do whatever he wants. Bet on yourself Biggie!
Agreed except that I don't think he's too short to guard the post in the NBA. Guarding 5's would be more manageable for him if he had some explosiveness to go along with his skills.
The answer depends on his maturity level at the end of this year. And that's not a negative ... it's just an "iit is ... " There is unending talk about recruits doing what's best for themselves .... which is usually Purdue ... and they rarely do what many think is best for them. If Swanigan really does want to play at any pro level (as in Serbia/Croatia/Spain, or maybe late 2nd round and work like crazy to make the team, then he'll go. Playing overseas is very lucrative financially as they pay all your living expenses as well as your salary. There is also the "risk" of today's global world. If he wants to maximize his potential in the NBA, he'll stay. His mindset at this very moment is probably that he will take whatever he can get in the pros. I'm not so sure that will be his feeling in May. Having known several players who chose to play overseas, I don't think Caleb is at all a good fit for that lifestyle.
I'd be shocked, SHOCKED, if he came back next year regardless. From what happened at the end of last season, he is looking for any reason or glimpse of being able to get paid to play basketball. I don't fault him for that - everyone has their reasons. I'm glad we got to see him play 2 years in gold and black. Wish him the best wherever he ends up.
All it takes one team that wants him, and most people can't guard Kevin Durant BTW....
Think Carl Landry, or even Al Horford they're really similar in their games and have niched out a spot in the NBA
Purdue players have a blue collar work ethic reputation. There is a whole list of Boilers that have lasted longer than expected and made a decent living by just playing that same way in the NBA. Miller, Cardinal, Landry and now Moore. They worked hard in school and it paid off later. I expect the same for Biggie.
I don't like that I come across as not liking Caleb or his game. It's not meant that way, but if the question is how does he project in the NBA, the answer is not well. The players people are listing that have had nice careers are:
Taller
More Athletic
Better shooter
or all 3. Again, there is a reason he isn't listed in some mock drafts at all. His size and lack of explosiveness just doesn't translate well to the next level. As someone said, it does just take one team to take a shot and for him to click. I hope that is the case because I love what he has done to his body and his desire to be successful.
Taller
More Athletic
Better shooter
or all 3. Again, there is a reason he isn't listed in some mock drafts at all. His size and lack of explosiveness just doesn't translate well to the next level. As someone said, it does just take one team to take a shot and for him to click. I hope that is the case because I love what he has done to his body and his desire to be successful.
To clarify, I believe Caleb will play in the NBA at some point. My original question was more along the lines of whether people thought he would leave after this season. I agree with a lot of you here, if he feels he'll get drafted at all, he's gone. Selfishly, I hope he stays but I don't know that he would develop more in his 3rd and 4th year at Purdue than he would practicing with NBA caliber players. Athleticism isn't going to be a plus for him ever, so he'll need to learn how to play at the next level where he can't just muscle through double teams and go up at the rim.
If I was his father I would tell him to go. This would not have been my position 10 years ago. If my kid had a really good chance at making a year what I make every 5 to 7 years doing what he loves to do, I say go for it. The biggest thing he has going for him is that he is so young. The young part goes away over time.
Look at the MLB. They don't knock a kid for planning at the college level but they would much rather have them at 17 or 18 straight out of HS.
Yes, he should playing center exclusively right now as well. Hes a center, not a power forward imo.
The NBA is full of guys and who do one thing exceptionally well. For Caleb that would be rebounding. If he has a decent career, rebounding will be why. Anything else would be gravy.
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