Sports Illustrated writer Scott Howard-Cooper did not back off his previous claim that Vasquez will stay in the NBA Draft.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/scott_howard-cooper/06/12/rubio.notes/
The link shows a question Mr. Howard-Cooper received, and his reply:
“Sorry, Scott, but your info on Greivis Vasquez doesn’t fly. I can tell you unless Greivis told you this face to face, you’ve been had. You just casually mention Greivis had decided to stay in the draft when it would be a breaking story across the state of Maryland and possibly nationally. Everyone I’ve talked to as of late says he’ll likely be back, unless some team has all but guaranteed they’ll take him in the very early second round or better. Every team so far has liked his height, but told him to go back to work and polish up a few things and come back next year. Sorry, but it seems like your Vasquez blurb is bogus.”– Dave, Rockville, Md.
“Greivis Vasquez: “I’m all in. I’m not thinking about going back to school.”
Face to face? No, you got me there. I was about 5 feet away, after his workout with the Kings last week.
If Vasquez goes back to Maryland, it will be because he changed his mind from a very clear comment. And some perspective, please. Vasquez deciding to stay in the draft might be breaking national news? In what nation?”
My take? I totally believe that Vasquez told Howard-Cooper that he was not planning on going back to school. If you are attempting to be drafted, it makes little sense to be telling NBA National writers that you do not think you are good enough, and will be planning on heading back to college.
That said, there are other facts here to evaluate.
1) Vasquez has not hired an agent. If you were definitively not coming back to college, and were going pro regardless, you would hire an agent.
2) Vasquez continued to go to class. If you were definitively not coming back to college for the Senior year, why would you continue to go to class?
3) Every mock-draft has him as a mid-to-late 2nd round NBA draft choice, with some not even believing he will be picked.
4) The most stocked position in the draft is at the PG position.
5) Vasquez had a poor showing at the NBA ‘Combine’, with his strength and athleticism.
6) The previous public comments by Gary Williams and Stu Vetter.
If I am wrong, and Vasquez does elect to stay in the draft, I wish Vasquez the best and will credit Mr. Howard-Cooper with the scoop.
Here is a link to how MD could look without Vasquez and without Stephenson in the 2009-10 season:
http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-if-part-1-of-3-part-series.html
I continue to believe that Sunday night it will be announced that Vasquez will be back in College Park for his Senior Season.
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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.