Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Michigan State Spartans have a couple of players that could very easily declare for the NBA draft, but should Keith Appling go pro?
From a statistic standpoint, Appling did not get that much better from his sophomore season to his junior season. His field goal percentage went down, he averaged two more points per game, he averaged .6 assists less per game and his three-point shooting percentage increased.
Appling may be a point guard, but he could definitely work on hist shot. His 41.5 percent from the field and 32 percent from behind the arc do not really pop off of the page. His 3.3 assists per game could also increase, but the Spartans were known as a defensive team this season, so that had a little bit to do with that statistic.
Unless if Appling has a monster season–assuming that he returns to school–his senior year, his draft stock will not likely increase. There are some very talented freshmen entering college basketball next season that will be one-and-done players. That will not help Appling’s stock out whatsoever.
I personally think he should go pro now. Once he only has basketball to worry about, his shot will get better, along with everything else. Appling is a very talented player, but his stock will likely not get any higher. Appling would not even be the best point guard in this year’s draft and the same would be the case next year.
Although Appling would help out Michigan State by returning, he should just declare for the NBA now and start earning paychecks for what he loves to do.
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