In the modern age of college basketball, the one-and-done mentality has become the norm as drones of top flight high school recruits leave the college ranks to play professional ball after just one season in the NCAA.
That’s why it’s refreshing when an elite prospect, like reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart, decides to fore-go the potential millions in the NBA, to return to the college ranks to either hone his skills or attempt to win a championship.
In THD’s most recent NBA Mock Draft 2.0, Smart is considered a lock to be a Top 5 pick in the upcoming 2013 NBA Draft, and was ranked as the top pro prospect on at least one mock draft from other sources.
The 6’4 combo guard has drawn rave reviews as the Cowboys’ point guard last year, averaging 15.4 ppg and 4.2 assists in leading Oklahoma State to the NCAA Tournament, losing in the 1st Round to the Oregon Ducks.
Already at 225lbs, Smart projects well at the next level, with many comparing him to a poor man’s James Harden of the Houston Rockets, as a best case scenario. He’s a tremendous competitor, with excellent instincts, vision, and passing ability. He also excels on the defensive end and seems to take pride in locking down his opponent.
Last season, then University of Indiana freshman sensation Cody Zeller returned to school in an attempt to win a title but ultimately hurt his draft stock, while the Hoosiers were upset in the NCAA Tournament early.
Smart is hoping to buck that trend as fellow NBA prospects Markel Brown and Le’Bryan Nash have also pledged to return to help make a run at Kansas and a Big 12 Title, as well as make a deep run in March Madness.
Marcus Smart’s NBA Draft Prospect:
Marcus Smart Ultimate ’12-’13 Highlights:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
