Late on Friday night, Illinois basketball fans received some heartbreaking news.
According to Eric Schmidt, a television reporter in the Chicago area, Leron Black will be declaring for the NBA Draft. He has yet to sign an agent, but Schmidt reports Black intends to do so. The report was confirmed by Ryan Baker of CBS 2 Chicago with the addition that Black is currently exploring the option. Baker emphasizes Black is leaving the option open to coming back to college, though.
@IlliniMBB fans, Leron Black has informed the Illini staff he intends to forego his final year of eligibility and go pro. Hasn’t signed with an agent yet, but intends to do so. Big loss, literally and figuratively, for the team. @joehoopsreport @wischlist @michaelsobrien
— Eric Schmidt (@ESchmidtChicago) March 9, 2018
Some clarity on Leron Black. He is exploring his option to turn pro. But he IS leaving the option open to return to school for his 5th year. Not hiring an agent right now. #Illini
— Ryan Baker (@RyanBakerMedia) March 10, 2018
Black came to the Illinois basketball team via White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a four-star recruit who was the No. 41 player in the class of 2014. Black was arguably the most impressive get by former head coach, John Groce.
Year one was solid for Black. You could see his potential as he averaged 5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in only 14.8 minutes of action. The following season, he dealt with some injuries and was able to be redshirted. During his redshirt sophomore campaign, Black increased his production. He had career highs in points and rebounds. This past season he capitalized on a great new coach and this helped his talents blossom into one of the best players in the Big Ten. He finished the season averaging 15.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
The decision to declare for the NBA Draft but not hire an agent is actually a smart move. Now he has a chance to do one of two things. He can go and impress the NBA scouts and possibly get drafted in the first round. The other option is the NBA scouts tell him what he needs to improve on, and then he comes back to college and fixes the flaws.
There isn’t any harm in Black declaring for the NBA Draft. Illinois players in the past have done it. Dee Brown would have gone to the NBA after his junior year with Deron Williams, but he broke his right foot at the NBA pre-draft camp. He didn’t sign an agent and came back to finish up his senior season.
I don’t blame Black one bit for testing the waters to see where he stacks up. Do I think he will end up signing an agent? No, I don’t. I think he will go there and impress some people. But, I also think there is a lot he can work on for one more year. If he comes back, I think he has a chance to be a sure-fire first-round NBA Draft pick. He has a lot of talent and I wouldn’t blame him for taking the money if it is there.
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But, as a fan and someone who actually wants to see him succeed in life, I hope Black comes back for another year of college. I don’t care if it is with Illinois or not, I just think he needs one more year to show off his talents.