OK, I'll be honest. I don't think he gets drafted, and if not, he's in the same situation that Gabriel was in. He has to hook on to a summer league team, hope someone takes notice, and offers him a two way. Look, I like the kid, but like I said, he got caught in a numbers game. So did Gabriel, who was far more raw since he came to the game late. Not comparing talent, just situations. As you stated, if he goes back, it's once again a numbers game, but if he's confident in his ability, then he does have the advantage of one years experience. PJ took that to the bank.
I also think any feedback he's getting should be beneficial. That's one of the things PJ said, that the feedback from the teams at the combine helped prepare for his next college season. You either have the confidence and talent, or you don't. But one way or the other, you have to prove it. If I'm him, I take the gamble and go back, have a good season and get drafted in the 1st rd next year. I do think he's professional material, it's just a matter of when and with who.
What if he's got a Corey Brewer type of situation at home and his family needs money? U still think he should go back? Tell everyone; "just wait another year, we've been poor our whole lives, whats one more year?"--- like Robert Williams did to his mother, whos a cafeteria lady.
I really dont understand where u think the minutes are gonna come from at UK tho with this take, its not really well thought out... You want EJ montgomery to come back and get big minutes and create a log-jam for the incoming freshman F's, so they can have yet another EJ Montgomery situation?? u get that right? or are u gonna tell me that Keion Brooks and Khalil Whitney arent ready to handle div 1 starters minutes?
PJ Washington is not some ideal UK situation, this season was plan b.... plan a ofc was to be one-and-done.
Everything UK does, coach cal does, works thru an A, B, C type of priority.. EJ Montgomery is not gonna return to UK and be an A priority guy, the show must go on, he'd be nothing more than a Trey Lyles type of player for this team, not "the guy", and given his advanced age, i just dont see how it's really an ideal showcasing spot, too much to lose, not enough to gain....... Thats the way it's always worked, Devin Booker wasnt even the guy and he's gonna make half a billion dollars playing basketball... Luckily for EJ though he's good enough to go pro, right now, so he doesnt have to take the Charles Matthews route.
These guys who are old for their class, they do that to prepare for the pros, right? So he's been preparing, I think its beyond absurd to think that all these other pro teams across the world, many of whom SIGN 12 YEAR OLD KIDS TO JUNIOR CONTRACTS, wouldn't be just head-over-heels to sign a player like EJ.. His profession is clearly basketball, if he wants to start getting paid now, so be it.
Do you think he's like a lottery pick if he returns? this is some buddy hield type of situation? cuz if not we get to the point very quick;y where the math starts to lean in the "go" direction, just so u can start collecting checks asap. Same deal as Nic Claxton and Nic Claxton is definitely gonna get drafted before the Kings ever pick if he sticks in this draft...
there is most certainly a 'strike while the irons hot' element to the draft, and if EJ has another lackluster year and is 21 in the 2020 draft, his appeal will diminish, and it'll be his own fault, for hesitating when he shoulda pulled the trigger...
The story of Coach Cal and DeJuan Wagner(who's son is filthy btw!) is one of the best, sometimes ppl hesistate when they need to be pushed out into the world(Cinema Paradiso is a classic Italian film that demonstrates this spectacularly), in that case Coach Cal did Dejuan a HUGE favor, if his ulcerative colitis would've been uncovered by NBA teams before the draft, he'd have made a pittance as a pro compared to what he did.
