Is tomorrow-night Vasquez’s last home-game?
The Junior guard continues to lead the Terps closer to a birth in the NCAA Tournament, but is plagued by constant message-board rumors that he will turn-professional after the season.
After being named to the All-ACC 2nd Team as a Sophomore, Vasquez is averaging the following as a Junior:
17ppg, 4.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 33% from 3, 88% from the FT line
While Vasquez can still improve his draft-stock this year with strong performances in the ACC, and the NCAA Tournament; current NBA Mock-Drafts do not have him highly projected.
Draft Express.com does not have Vasquez projected to be selected in the two-round NBA draft.
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2009/
My NBA Draft.com also does not have Vasquez projected to be selected.
http://www.mynbadraft.com/2009-NBA-Mock-Draft
NBA Draft.net has Vasquez going with the 60th pick overall to the Los Angeles Lakers.
http://www.nbadraft.net/2009mock_draft
In the NBA, first-round picks receive a guaranteed 3 year contract.
The second-round is not guaranteed.
If Vasquez does decide to forgoes his Senior year, and is not selected in the 1st-round, and does not make an NBA roster this year – he could still go to Europe, and make an extremely comfortable six-figure (possibly seven-figure) income.
If he were to play in Europe for a year or two, and perform, he could earn a chance to return to the States and gain entry to the NBA.
Everyone will be giving Vasquez advice… and most of it is biased, myself included.
I am a MD fan, and I want him to return for his Senior year.
Ultimately, I realize that like every other player, he has to do what is best for his family, and himself.
My true opinion, is that what is best for him, is to return to College Park for his Senior year.
I believe that, because with Vasquez, MD can return everyone but Neal, and add two players (Williams, and Padgett) to help address the most-glaring need.
2009-10
1 Bowie, Hayes
2 Mosley, Tucker
3 Vasquez, Kim
4 Milbourne, Padgett, Gregory
5 Williams, Burney, Dupree, Goins
At a minimum, that team should have Sweet 16 aspirations – if one of the bigs decided to leave, and Lance ‘Born Ready’ Stephenson decided to become a Terp… aspirations can be even higher.
Another year of experience, and a chance to improve his 3pt shooting, can only help Vasquez.
He is never going to have great physical athleticism, but he has improved his strength, and his defense. He has worked hard at the foul-line, is excellent in the lane, and very solid-posting up.
When scouts look at him harder, they are going to love that he always plays hard, and has a clear love for the game… that he can handle the ball, with superior passing ability at 6’6.
There is a lot for Vasquez to consider…. I hope he returns next year, and believe the team can achieve a lot, and he while raising his profile considerably.
If tomorrow is his last-game at Comcast, I hope he receives the support of the fans he deserves.
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.