WAPO -- Mudiay -- what could have been

[Stallion]

Right-College can be a money making, brand defining platform too

See Johnny Manziel who went from your average 3 star to a national legend in half a season

[mavsrage311]

He would've likely went to the Kings at 6 but he refused to work out for them.

[Rebel10]

Extra exposure of playing in the tournament would have helped him move up, and the difference over a contract would have made up way more than the million he made on China. It was not a good move, unless he and SMU were about to get slapped down- which I have no information on, other than under armour getting ahead of themselves. Hope they are banned from every campus in America.

If he gets hurt at SMU like he did in China he ends up in the same number 7 spot without the 1.2 million dollars. If he does not get hurt in China he ends up in about the same spot as he would have at SMU.

[Rebel10]

He would've likely went to the Kings at 6 but he refused to work out for them.

Probably right.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

He would've likely went to the Kings at 6 but he refused to work out for them.

Total prima donna.

[OhioBrownFan]

For those that think remaining stateside would've helped him more with exposure and what not, that also comes with a price. If you're being watched under a microscope, it could have also exposed his weaknesses and his lack of shooting is a real concern. I don't know why posters are acting like going to SMU would've automatically put him in the top 3, easily could've had an even more adverse affect.

To build on that, injury definitely played a bigger part than where he played basketball.

Lastly, for those that can't figure out what Hoopman said, he meant that Under Armour wanted him to go overseas for marketability reasons. It's not rocket science. Kevin Durant has struggled to become a superstar in Asia compared to a guy like Kobe or LeBron. With him playing over in China, he becomes a household name and now has massive marketability there in comparison to staying in the US. Good for his brand, UA's brand, and future earnings.

[CA Mustang]

With him playing over in China, he becomes a household name and now has massive marketability there in comparison to staying in the US. Good for his brand, UA's brand, and future earnings.

He became a household name in China while playing fewer than 15 games?

[gostangs]

The reason Durant is not household in china is because he doesn't have a ring. If you want to be known internationally you become a star player on an NBA champion.

Under armor saw the opportunity to secure him early and took it and didn't really care what was best for him. Had nothing to do with exposing him in China - that is their pat excuse. Had everything to do with securing his rights early. That made SMU unnecessary, and they talked him into it by waiving a relatively small amount of money in front of him that would have been paid back in two years had he been a couple slots ahead in the draft - which playing in the tournament would have done for him if he is as good as everyone says he is.

[Rebel10]

A lot of this is just propaganda to try to discourage HS players from going overseas. The 4th player in the draft was from Latvia. Didn't seem to hurt him playing overseas. The 5th player drafted was from overseas as well being from Croatia.

[OhioBrownFan]

I'm not even arguing this. It really does not matter and what someone says on a message board isn't changing anyone's mind.