The real game now begins on Old Hilltop.
Georgetown’s Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert hear the NBA’s riches enticing them to skip their senior seasons. Coach John Thompson III is a hot prospect for schools seeking turnarounds. Will any of the three return?
Final Four losses are emotionally raw. So close to the trophy, but in reality as far away as a first-round loser. It’s natural to instantly want to return for another try just like when Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter led Maryland to the 2002 crown after a 2001 semifinal defeat. Neither was a lottery pick, though.
Hibbert confirmed his NBA lottery status by outplaying expected No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden in the 67-60 loss to Ohio State on Saturday. Returning for his senior year would polish the 7-foot-2 center, but in reality wouldn’t increase his draft status much. Staying that extra year may cost a few million dollars over his career.
Green has a harder decision. The Hoyas top player won plenty of individual awards while finishing third-team All-America. However, a poor showing against Ohio State may have dropped him from the lottery picks to cost several million dollars. It wasn’t so much Greenplayed poorly as he didn’t shine. He simply went silent and NBA execs may suddenly question whether Green is ready for the pros.
Green is definitely ready for the NBA. The question is whether he should stay one more year and move up in the draft. There are no guarantees Green’s draft status will improve so staying at Georgetown could ultimately mean losing one year’s pay while risking injury to preclude a pro career. Bad things do happen. Given that risk-ratio award, going pro seems the probable choice.
The smart move has Green and Hibbert attending NBA predraft camps to gauge their draft status while not signing with an agent to retain their eligibility. Agents are real charmers, offering to advance cash so college kids struggling for pizza money can suddenly cruise M Street in style. However, there’s no hurry to secure representation the draft. If Green can earn a lottery pick in the camps, then go.
Georgetown officials also need to quickly extend coach John Thompson III’s contract or risk poaching by richer programs. Thompson reportedly earns $430,000 annually, which could be easily tripled by schools looking for the next great coach.
The Hoyas need to choke off this dilemma right now. Extend Thompson’s deal and double his salary. Big money is the siren’s call that has lured many men from positions they loved. John Thompson Jr. is always talking about how he’d go anywhere for big money during his afternoon show. You better believe even the longtime Hoyas mentor will counsel his son to take the money.
After all, isn’t college about preparing for the future? Making a good living? Hibbert, Green and Thompson all have something to ponder.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
