No one would blame them for cashing in while the iron is hot. From a purely fiscal standpoint, Kansas stars Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich would do well for themselves by dropping out of school, declaring for the draft, and channeling all of their energy into pre-draft workouts. Aldrich scored big in the NCAA Tournament by turning in his first career triple-double, a 13 point, 20 rebound, 10 block extravaganza against Dayton. He also played well in the Sweet 16 loss to Michigan State, turning in 17 points to go with 14 rebounds, 4 assists, (only) 4 blocks, and 2 steals. His draft stock skyrocketed with his showing, and he's got little reason to stay at KU, earning a top-notch education aside.
Sherron Collins nearly equalled Aldrich's production, as he shot 32-58 for the tournament, good for 55% shooting. Collins was the clear leader of a team that overachieved all season long. Collins was a force, and the numbers back that up. Collins currently ranks 4th among the tournament's leading scorers, a feat that only gets more impressive when one considers he played one less game than every other player in the top 10. A junior, Collins has nothing left to gain(financially) and everything to lose by staying for another season. The Jayhawks will have a highly touted class coming in next year, and it is unlikely that he will be able to improve upon his 2009 NCAA Tournament production with more talent around him.
My thought is that both players should go. The program can only be helped by sending their promising young talents on to greener pastures and NBA success. As sad as it is, promising recruits with NBA dreams want to go to a school where they can fulfill their unlimited, and largely untapped, potential. Kansas, under head coach Bill Self, is becoming increasingly appealing to these players. With Aldrich and Collins pumping up the school's draft profile yet again, the remaining undecided high school seniors (ahem, John Wall and Lance Stephenson) may be intrigued at the chance to be the man on a contending team with unsurpassed tradition. Even with the loss of their two best players, Kansas will be strong next year.
They have already secured Top 30 recruits Thomas Robinson and Elijah Johnson, along with Arizona 7-foot transfer Jeff Withey, who will be available for the Spring semester. With even modest improvement from the Morris twins, the Jayhawks could still have a formidable frontcourt. The backcourt, with newcomer Johnson to go with sophomores-to-be Tyshawn Taylor, Mario Little, Travis Releford as well as juniors Brady Morningstar and Tyrell Reed, will be inexperienced but talented. Am I arguing that the 2009-2010 Kansas team will be better without Collins and Aldrich? No.
But, being the glass-is-half-full guy that I am, I can envision a situation where losing the two best players may yet provide a boon to the program. If both players do bolt for the NBA, the door may just open for another top recruit to sway his choice of where to train for the 2010 NBA draft next season.
And, you know, go to school while he's at it.
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