University of Miami junior forward Dwayne Collins has decided to submit his name for the upcoming NBA Draft. Mistaken identity? Typo? Nope. It is in fact that Collins, and we don't think he's ready yet, either.
But the decision can only help the Hurricanes.
Collins will not hire an agent, which allows him to retain his final year of eligibility provided he pulls out of the draft by June 15 (the big event is held June 25). Essentially, declaring is a way for Collins to receive feedback from the NBA.
Assuming scouts don't know something we don't, they'll probably tell the young man to go back to school and give him an idea of what to focus on this off season and what teams will look for in his last college season before the 2010 draft.
“This is a chance for Dwayne to get feedback on his game from general managers and NBA scouts on what he needs to do to have an opportunity to play professional basketball,” said Miami head coach Frank Haith. “I support Dwayne’s decision to test the waters.”
The NCAA allows this chance to enlist and withdraw once, so why not?
Football players like Florida's Tim Tebow and UM's Javarris James and Jason Fox did this past spring, and each returns to his team inspired, and with specific goals in mind to reach the next level.
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And who knows? Things just might go the way of Miami's second-leading scorer: “I’ll put my name in and see what happens, and make a decision from there," Collins said.
The feedback he receives should be particularly valuable to the Hurricanes, who will no doubt need some motivated leadership after losing leading scorer and all-around team-carrier Jack McClinton to graduation.
It's likely whatever Collins will hear back is already being said by Haith, but a few more voices just might do the trick and make an NBA'er out of him yet.
