NFL Tickets
In what many people would consider as no surprise at all, Oklahoma State Cowboys‘ star guard Marcus Smart has declared for the 2014 NBA Draft. While it’s not a surprise at all, many are debating about whether he made the correct choice or not. So, did the sophomore guard make a smart choice?
In my opinion, Smart had passed up a great opportunity to leave after his freshman year as a lottery pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He thought that staying another year would help with his maturity and overall play under head coach Travis Ford — and heck, why not try to play for a national title.
As a preseason Top 10 team, the Cowboys looked to be a national title contender and Smart had a chance to be player of the year. However, the team dropped off a bit, going 6-11 in the final 17 games of the season — including an NCAA Tournament loss in the round of 64 to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Everyone would consider this season a disappointment for Oklahoma State as well as Smart. While Smart wasn’t everything he’d hoped he would be in his sophomore season, he’s still a lottery pick.
All he can ask for right now is to be drafted by the right team that will give him a chance to play extended minutes and mature under the team’s system.
Everyone remembers the incident at Texas Tech in which Smart stupidly shoved a trash-talking fan. Many thought his draft stock would drop after that as well as the suspension that followed the push. However, he improved his stock once again by coming back and leading the Cowboys to the tourney when it looked like there was little chance they would make it.
For the sake of avoiding another drop in draft stock, Smart made the correct choice in declaring.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
Share 
