Further proof against Mark Cubans proposal for re-structuring the NBA draft and its "D-league" to entice one-and-done college players into a system that better prepares them for the professional ranks: Andrew Wiggins, as one-and-done as they come, has greatly enjoyed his college experience, evidenced by one of the surest indicators of a good time.
"It went too quick," Wiggins told ESPN.
"I wish I had more time to stay here and do my thing, just be here with the team and the coaches and all these wonderful fans," Wiggins added. "That's one of the reasons I committed here. I came here on senior night and the fans were so loyal."
Funny that Wiggins would compare entering the NBA draft to something of a necessary burden, like a prince moving on to king but wistful of the life he'd soon have to give up. For Wiggins, staying in college for another year isn't even a possibility, so engrained is the one-and-done process in the psyche of the country's top basketball talents.
It would be interesting to ask Wiggins why he feels that way. Likely, it is a combination of the usual reasons: the money, the injury risk, the chance to realize a dream. Yet, Wiggins' quote makes the pathway seem more like fate than an actual choice. Perhaps if a player of Wiggins' stature one day remains at college for an extra year (or two or three) despite the hype and promise of a top three selection, it could bring free will back into the equation.
Wiggins is averaging 16.0 ppg (44 percent shooting) and 5.8 rpg for the #8 Jayhawks. He's projected to go #3 by nbadraft.net, behind Joel Embiid (#1) and Jabari Parker. Personally, I'd slot Embiid three and then tear out hairs choosing between Parker (the draft's Carmelo) and Wiggins (the draft's Lebron).
