Bayless going pro

[Renz]

Disappointing that he won't play for Lute, but not unexpected.

Arizona freshman Bayless to enter NBA draft
by Jeff Goodman
April 5, 2008

Arizona freshman Jerryd Bayless is going pro.

Bayless, a 6'2'' guard, has decided to forego his final three years of college and hire an agent.

FOXSports.com confirmed the news with Arizona coach Lute Olson.

NBA executives have told FOXSports.com that Bayless is a clear-cut lottery pick.

Bayless scored 19.7 points per game this season, leading the Wildcats to an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament.

 

[PHXSportsFan4]

I hate to see him leave but I don't blame him and at least it will be another Wildcat great in the NBA to watch.

 

[Skkorpion]

Good decision on his part to get out of the zoo now.

I wonder if his string of poor games at the end of the season will drop him down the draft charts a little.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Probably not, he has a lottery guarantee I'm assuming.

People complain about early entries, but the more NBA players Arizona produces the better it is for the program.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

As much as Bayless wanted to play for Lute, you cant turn down guranteed money, especially being drafted in the top 10. From what I know there are a few teams that are telling his people they want him. Odds are they all pick in the top 10.

 

[TJ]

Not the shock of the century. But what does UofA do?? RELOAD!

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Expected and actually think there would not have been enough balls to go around next year anyway if Jennings is as good as I think he is.

I find it interesting that Kerr is close to the program and went to watch a couple UA games this year on scouting trips.

 

[Lefty]

We all knew he was leaving. No way you pass up being a top-10 pick. Good luck to him. It means another Wildcat in the NBA. Jennings and Wise will make a nice backcourt. It looks like Lavender might see some playing time next year.

 

[Dback Jon]

It is funny how last week all the Wildkitties on here were 100% certain he was staying to play for "Lute", and now it is "no biggie, we expected it"....

 

[Renz]

It is funny how last week all the Wildkitties on here were 100% certain he was staying to play for "Lute", and now it is "no biggie, we expected it"....

Really? Find us the posts from UA fans saying Bayless was "100% coming back".

 

[Chaplin]

It is funny how last week all the Wildkitties on here were 100% certain he was staying to play for "Lute", and now it is "no biggie, we expected it"....

More sour grapes? Come on, nobody was convinced he was going to stay. Give me a break. We all said the team would be great IF he stayed, and that is the truth, no matter how you irrationally might want to deny that.

And yes, him going pro is NOT a surprise to any Wildcat basketball fan. You are not one, so you are trying to pick a fight--and my guess is that you probably even know you are wrong, but don't care.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It is funny how last week all the Wildkitties on here were 100% certain he was staying to play for "Lute", and now it is "no biggie, we expected it"....

Name one person who thought he was certain he was coming back. We were hopeful and Lute being HC instead of KO certainly increased the odds, but top 10 is top 10. Chase on the other hand, I'm not sure who is giving him advice.

Shouldn't you be focusing on your 9th place Illini hoops squad? Maybe you guys should have thought about keeping that Bill Self guy around, eh? Or maybe keeping a good player in Illinois every now and then. Seriously, smack talk from an Illinois and NAU fan to UA people is pretty laughable.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It is funny how last week all the Wildkitties on here were 100% certain he was staying to play for "Lute", and now it is "no biggie, we expected it"....

http://arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1669685&postcount=20

Nice call, genius.

 

[Lefty]

Forgive him, his teams did not even make it to the NIT this year. He is a little bitter.

As for Bayless, no one ever said Bayless was 100% coming back. Just another lie coming from a non-Wildcat fan. Most of us figured he was not going to turn down the NBA if he was a top-10 pick. Some hoped the rumors of him staying would be true, but we knew he was gone.