The D-League is no way to 'help your family'
Posted on: November 5, 2009 5:02 pm
Edited on: November 5, 2009 5:06 pm
Score: 128
The NBA D-League Draft is tonight on NBA TV.
Tune in and you'll hear the names of all sorts of former college players -- guys like Deron Washington (Virginia Tech) and Paul Harris (Syracuse) -- who have been forced to take the tough path to the NBA. Meantime, you'll also hear the names of some guys who never actually played in college, among them Latavious Williams, who must want to shoot his "core of very competent people" about now.
As my pal Jonathan Givony at DraftExpress.com pointed out -- click this link for a nice breakdown of the D-League Draft -- Williams has gone from a guy being told he could get a contract in the "six-figure range" to somebody on the verge of playing in the D-League for a non-guaranteed contract worth $19,000. For this, he passed up college?
In fairness, Williams had academic problems, and it's unclear if he would've been cleared to play in college this season, or whether he had any interest in actually going to college. If that's the case, fine. If this was his only real option, then maybe this isn't terrible. But it's still rough to see a talented young person be so misled by adults -- in this case, it was a dumb mentor/amateur agent named Trey Godfrey -- that he ends up surprised by reality, and that's why it's difficult not to feel a little badly for Williams, because he was told he was worth way more than he's really worth.
I mean, do you remember the quote from Williams when he announced he was skipping college? If not, here you go: "It was a difficult decision, but after consulting with a number of people, and taking my family situation into consideration, playing overseas is the best move for me. It will not be an easy transition, but I have surrounded myself with a core of very competent people who I trust and who have my best interests at heart, so I am confident that things will work out very well."
Or not.
There is no good overseas option.
There is no six-figure contract on the table.
Consequently, Latavious Williams will have to "help his family" by playing in the D-League for $19,000.
I just hope he has a small family.
Comments
Rip1Tigers
Reputation: 84Level: All-Star Since: Sep 11, 2007 |
Posted on: November 5, 2009 6:50 pm
Score: 114
The D-League is no way to 'help your family'Man I feel bad for this kid, the "hangers-on" have ruined his career before it even started. When are these kids going to see, hear or understand that the ones closest to them that are not family and are taking the place of family are looking for a big paycheck. If you don't have the major agents knocking on your door - DON'T ANSWER IT! |
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Memphis Rulez Level: All-Star Since: Apr 29, 2009 |
Posted on: November 6, 2009 4:22 pm
Score: 72
The D-League is no way to 'help your family'Eric Bledsoe is eligibile. John Wall is eligible. Lance Stephenson is eligible. Latavious Williams' eligiblity may have been questionable, but he'd be on campus right now. Even if he weren't eligible until the spring, even he had to wait until next year, it beats what he's about to go through. |
