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UNLV Center Brandon McCoy has a big decision to make regarding the upcoming NBA draft.
Brandon McCoys decision will likely determine the ceiling for the 2018/2019 Runnin’ Rebels.
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Freshman center Brandon McCoy has yet to declare for the NBA draft.
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When seven foot center Brandon McCoy committed to UNLV last year it was never thought that he would be around for a second season. While never stating that he was only going to play one season of college ball, he was touted as a one and done that would fast track the rebuild of the Marvin Menzies led Runnin’ Rebels.
And fast track the rebuild he did.
Shortly after McCoy committed, UNLV received commitments from the top juco player in the nation, forward Shakur Juiston, and also from a highly touted high school guard in Amauri Hardy.
On top of that, he was everything that UNLV coaches and fans hoped he would be on the court, finishing the season averaging almost 17 points per game and 11 rebounds. And with that success comes the likelyhood that McCoy will be leaving for the NBA, according to the Levas Vegas Review Journal.
Most mock draft sites have McCoy being drafted near the end of the first round, or early in the second. If he is in fact going to be selected in the first round, then it makes sense for McCoy to leave. He’ll have a two year guaranteed contract and whatever team drafts him will be invested in coaching him up on the defensive side, where he is a liability.
However, if after all the pre draft workouts, it’s looking like he’s going to slide into the second round, then a case can be made for him coming back for another year and shoring up his defensive game, and likely guaranteeing himself a first round draft slot. But that’s likely just wishful thinking on my part, knowing that if McCoy comes back for a second year, UNLV will be in the conversation as a team that could push UNR (and maybe Gonzaga, fingers crossed) for the conference championship.
For UNLV fans, lets just hope that when he declares for the draft he does so without hiring an agent. That will mean he’s at least contemplating coming back for his sophomore, even if it’s highly unlikely.