2017 NBA Draft – Thirty-six international prospects withdraw from draft
The 2017 NBA Draft experienced a major reshuffling as 36 international prospects withdraw.
With just six days until the 2017 NBA Draft last minute fluctuations are typical. That said, the recent mass exit of 36 international prospects certainly shakes up the ranking order.
The prospects deciding to leave will do so for several different reasons. First, some may well have been given indications they need further development. Likewise, the athlete and their camp may have determined it best to gain another year of growth and experience. Another option is international players can play for and make an income internationally. In those case the athlete prospect may believe they’ll gain better remuneration.
Finally, the athlete’s camp may have got an inkling a certain team would grab and stash them, meaning they wouldn’t play on the varsity club anyway. Under these circumstances they may feel more comfortable developing on their on terms in the location of their own choosing.
Most of the 36 prospects who withdrew from the NBA Draft were earmarked to fall in the second round or outside the top 60.
List of players withdrawing:
As per nba.com here is the complete list of international players withdrawing.
Surprises:
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One top prospects bowing out is Rodions Kurucs of Barcelona, Spain. He was pegged to be selected in the first round.
Another surprise is France’s Jonathan Jeanne who recently was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. During mandatory medical tests at the NBA Draft Combine his condition was discovered. Speculating on why Jeanne chose to remain in the draft perhaps his camp assumes it can’t hurt to stay in or possibly further tests have revealed his condition is treatable.
As draft night approaches expect tension to build as club prepare to launch the formulation of next season’s rosters. Stick with Thunderous Intentions over this time frame as we’ll be serving up draft prospect previews, speculating on the OKC Thunder pick and offering suggestions on who Sam Presti and his counterparts are likely to select.