As Eric Hayes won the College 3-point shooting contest Thursday night, my mind wandered to thinking about Hayes and fellow departing Senior Landon Milbourne at the professional level.

One of the reasons this Terrapins team was so enjoyable to follow, was because of the team-first dedication of both Hayes, and Milbourne.

I imagine that when both players signed their Letter of Intent to Maryland, they envisioned their collegiate careers evolving a bit differently. Hayes likely saw himself as a true lead-guard, and Milbourne probably believed he would be most effective at the 3.

Even the best laid plans, often have a way of changing. In the Freshman season of Hayes, Vasquez, and Milbourne – they were part of a very athletically talented team. (DJ Strawberry, Mike Jones, Ekene Ibekwe, James Gist). It became clear immediately that team played at their peak, with Vasquez having the ball in his hands at the 1. Hayes played plenty that season, but was eventually forced off the ball. As he was the best pure shooter on the team during his time at MD, he spent the majority of his time as a Terp as the 2G opposite of Vasquez.

That is not to say he never received time as the PG. There were plenty of times the Terps needed Vasquez to score, and their roles would switch. Until Vasquez also became an outstanding FT shooter over the past two-seasons, Hayes would often be the one with the ball late – to take advantage of his 87.5% career FT percentage.

For his career, Hayes averaged 3.9 assists to 1.9 turnovers. I thought at-times during this Senior season, he was lazy with the ball. I have wondered if he had stayed as a true PG, if he would have left College with a tighter handle.

I would imagine NBA teams would be willing to have him in for workouts, and might be surprised. He has good (not great) size at 6’4, 180 lbs. He knows how to distribute, is outstanding at the line, and has shown an ability to knock down an open-shot. The NBA in a lot of ways is about specialties, and in that regard Hayes brings something to the table. I think Hayes has better pure foot-speed than Vasquez. When Hayes aggressively went towards the rim, he elevated himself to a better player.

I will be very surprised if Hayes is drafted, but if his workouts go well enough – he just might have a chance to make a roster during the Summer. At a minimum, he will have the opportunity to continue his career somewhere as a professional. If he went to Europe for a year, and gained game-film of him leading a professional team as a PG; that would probably go a long way to having him having another chance at the NBA during Summer 2011.

I have really enjoyed watching Landon Milbourne develop during his college career. On pure athletic talent, Milbourne had dominated in suburban Atlanta during his early HS days. You can imagine that at 6’7, with his hops, he was probably imposing against middling competition.

As he desired to improve, he transferred to National powerhouse Oak Hill prior to his Senior year. There, he received regular playing time (and occasionally started) but was an after-thought on a team that had Michael Beasley, Ty Lawson, Jeff Allen, and Nolan Smith. At the time I remember thinking you can not teach athleticism, and getting to practice around that level of talent (and face the competition they faced) had to be good for his development. Still, plenty of MD fans thought otherwise and were sacred about adding a player that did not start consistently at the HS level. When Milbourne averaged just 4.8 minutes a game as a Freshman (with the biggest highlight being a tremendous early season throw-down against St. Johns) many Terp fans were labeling him a bust.

Milbourne just continued to work, and became a starter in his 2nd-year in the program. His scoring increased from 1ppg to over 8. In that Sophomore season, Milbourne was able to play at the 3 – which is probably his best position. He shot 39% from 3 point-land that year, and he exploited the opposition with his athleticism. Defenders would come out to guard him on the wing, and he would blow past them for the dunk.

In his Junior and Senior seasons, Milbourne was asked to play the PF position. Gary Williams knows that at only 6’7, Milbourne would never be looked at as 4 at the professional-level, but he also knew for this Terps team to be at their best; Milbourne at the 4 was the best option available. To the credit of Milbourne, all he has repeatedly said was that he would do what was best for the team.

Milbourne took his game inside, and battled tenaciously on the glass against bigger, and stronger bodies. He provided some interior scoring, rebounding, and even blocked his share of shots. After averaging 1.7 3point attempts as a Sophomore, he averaged 0.6, and 1.2 3point attempts these last-two seasons. The reason for that was clear. These Terps teams needed him inside, attempting to help rebound. He altered his game, and became proficient with his little mid-range jumper. With opposing defenders staying closer to the rim, he had less opportunities for the blow-by dunk. (Though he still had his share, check-out YouTube for some of those highlights)

Milbourne was a steady offensive player these past two-years, but I think would have been even better had he not had to work so hard on defensively, and on the glass.

Like Hayes, I think Milbourne can go to individual workouts and greatly surprise NBA Executives. When they see him against other small-forwards, as opposed to dealing with the Derrick Favors, and Aminu’s of the world; I think his stock will rise. Again, would be surprised if he was drafted, but should be a player that has the chance to make a roster with a strong Summer League. He will play as a professional somewhere.

So beyond them both being good-soldiers, I think it is interesting that what lowered their NBA Draft stock as collegians (not playing at their ideal positions) is what will potentially help them get longer looks as pros. Meaning Hayes probably belonged as a true 1, but the scoring ability he showed as a 2, can help him. Meaning Milbourne can only be a 3 at the NBA level, but the toughness he showed inside on the glass, and against bigger bodies at the 4; should help NBA Executives believe in his overall-game.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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