Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
After a breakout year in the 2012-13 college basketball season, Gonzaga Bulldogs Kelly Olynyk will be skipping his senior year and entering the 2013 NBA Draft. Was this the right decision?
Olynyk declared for the draft, so whether if it was the right decision or not, it was his decision.
With that said, Olynyk is making the leap at the perfect time. He just put up 17.8 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game. His draft stock is as high as it is ever going to be, so why not dash early for the draft?
Olynyk clearly developed his skills this season and he was one of the best players in the country, which is a big reason why Gonzaga was so good and earned a No. 1 seed in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
In his sophomore season, Olynyk only averaged 5.8 points per game. He did not get much playing time, but still. He was a beast in the 26.4 minutes per game that he played this year and he showed NBA scouts that he is talented enough to play at the next level. Olynyk is listed as a seven-footer, so that instantly helps out his draft stock. It makes it a whole lot better now that he has shown he can score the basketball at a high rate.
Olynyk could have played his senior year, but what was there left to show? His draft stock likely would not have gotten any higher. It is easy to justify his reasoning right now, but when it all comes down to it, if Olynyk felt like he was ready to go pro, then that is the main issue when trying to break down his decision on declaring.
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