http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ory?id=4048915
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin will give up his final two years of eligibility and head to the NBA after a sop re season that ended with him being recognized as college basketball's top player.
Griffin announced his decision Tuesday at a campus news conference alongside coach Jeff Capel, saying it was time to take his game to the next level.
Griffin helped the Sooners win 30 games in a season for only the fifth time in school history, shattering the school records for double-doubles and rebounds along the way.
"It's tough to walk away from something like this but at the same time, it's a big opportunity and I felt like I was ready for it this year," Griffin said.
After declaring last year that he would stay at Oklahoma for at least one more season, Griffin said he wanted to be able to contribute immediately in the NBA before he would turn pro.
For him to feel like he was "100 percent sure" that he was ready, he said he'd probably have to be in line to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Griffin couldn't have done much more to make his case for that spot.
He was honored by The Associated Press and several other groups as college basketball's player of the year after leading the nation with 30 double-doubles and 14.4 rebounds per game while also averaging a Big 12-best 22.7 points. In the NCAA tournament, he was even better -- averaging 28.5 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Sooners to the regional finals, where they lost to eventual national champion North Carolina.
"This is the right decision. In my mind, it's a no-brainer," Capel said. "It wasn't a decision to really debate because it's the right one, and it's the best thing for Blake."
Griffin got to spend two more seasons playing alongside his older brother, Taylor, after the two teamed up to win back-to-back state championships in high school. At Oklahoma, they helped rebuild a program that was on shaky ground because of NCAA sanctions left over from Kelvin Sampson's telephone recruiting scandal.
Had Griffin decided to stay, it would have added another layer to Oklahoma's unprecedented feat of having the Heisman Trophy winner and the AP men's basketball player of the year in the same year. Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford already passed up the chance to make an early jump to the NFL after his sop re season, and he and Griffin could have both returned for another year of college.
Kings, Clippers, and Wizards nations all get perma-boners until draft day.
Would be pretty cool to see Blake stay in Oklahoma should the Thunder get the #1 overall pick. They have a decent chance at it. Griffin joining Durant, Green, and Krstic would be a pretty solid front court. All they would need is a veteran point guard to manage the show and they'd be a really dangerous team.
Is he projected to be a good pro? What is his height?
6'8. Projected #1 overall.
Everywhere I've seen (ESPN, nbadraft, draftexpress) has Blake Griffin listed at 6'10" and about 250. Obviously, before official measurements, who really knows? He is probably closer to 6'9". But I haven't seen him listed at 6'8" before.
"They" project him to be a very good pro. He has world class athleticism and strength. His body is already NBA ready. I've seen the comparison to Amare Stoudemire a lot in terms of athleticism and explosion. But, Griffin works harder at rebounding the basketball, at least in his college career he did. He appears to be the only prospect in this draft that has real and legitimate star potential on the NBA level.
Last edited by JamStone; 04-07-2009 at 05:49 PM.
Agreed
once he goes pro unless he is a spur i have no more use for him
good luck i hope you lose every time you play the spurs
Powder time.
He is listed as 6'10 251 lbs, not 6'8. He will go #1 overrall.
I think horry for 3 is possibly the worst poster ever.
Spurs need to trade Manu for the #1 pick and secure their next set of four championships instead of rolling the dice on a guy who won't contribute anything toward them winning their 5th.
Good luck on that. I doubt they could get Griffin for Parker, much less Ginobili.
If the #1 pick goes to a dumb enough team they've got a great chance at it.
Says the mavs fan
Griffin won't be a star in the NBA. I see a nice 15/10 guy, nothing more.
Ricky Rubio is the only star in this draft.
you sir are a dumbass
Damn, poor guy has to go to a lottery team!
Or he can pull a kobe & demand a trade!
He'll be a pretty decent pro, but thats about it. Not a superstar has he doesn't have a set of offensive skills to be a force in the NBA.
What exactly does he do that will make him a star?
he will be a 20 and 10 guy
he will put up better numbers than guys like bozer and odem and will be a all star after a year or 2 in the nba
lol 20 and 10 guy.
He won't get to dunk every time he touches it. Jordan Hill will be better a better pro.
your wrong becuse your a mavs fan
why arent you a gm in the nba cause you are the best talent scout on spurs talk
That's funny coming from a who just said he would be a 20 and 10 player. You're a dip
lol ou
look everyone i made driks lover mad oh no i better watch out.
come on guy be better than the utsa losers on here and bring something to the table. Why will Jordan Hill be better.Why wont Blake be a 20 and 10 guy do you have anything, other than lol or your a dip it just makes you look bad
That's funny cuz I asked you what will make him a star and your response was he'll be a 20 and 10 guy. Way to answer that questionI'm pretty sure I told you why he wouldn't avg that. Can you read?
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