My Thoughts on MK

[ojaipony]

First, a few caveats:

1 - I don't know MK personally. I've never played college basketball. I'm not from Philly.
2 - I HAVE played college football. I'm from Memphis. And I am from a lower middle class family.
3 - I'm in my 40s. Been through a lot of struggles and, from most perspectives, have gone on to be very successful now (great family, good money/career, etc etc).

Now, a few opinions:

1 - MK is a special kid. From all accounts, he seems like a great teammate, obviously very skilled on the basketball court, great competitor.
2 - As great as Nic is, MK is the engine for this team. He can get it done on both ends of the court. He is, IMHO, our most valuable player (especially going into next year).

Now, for my thoughts on what he's probably going through right now and his pros and cons:

1 - I'm sure he could go overseas right now and make a decent living. I don't think he's an NBA lottery pick, but maybe he could still be a draft pick and make an NBA roster (this is probably what's being assessed and he has to look at this objectively and not just listen to all those who would have his hands in his pocket - this is the tough part of his decision - I don't know enough about NBA scouting to know the real deal here, just my opinions).
2 - Academics: I don't know what his GPA is or what it's looking like this semester. My feelings would be, if I were him, that if I put this much into it this far I'd want to finish and get my degree but this might not be his perspective (and I've been there - I was on academic probation my second semester but got so spooked I went on and finished with a 3.85 GPA when it was all said and done - I wasn't going to fail, not an option . . . but his situation is different: he has a real opportunity to make good money doing what he loves and has put almost 2 full seasons on tape for others to assess . . . it was almost over before it started for ME, that's not the case for him). If he's at academic risk, he might just feel that it's LESS risky to make a go as a pro now (either good money overseas with a path to the NBA possibly or directly to the NBA now and make a roster ... more risk staying than going now, but he could also see what JMart did - if his GPA is looking ok for now, worst case is he flunks out first semester and then goes pro in January, but that would really suck). He'll also be 24 by the time the season starts, but I'm not sure if that's a huge deal to him. I have no idea.
3 - Maximize Opportunity to go to the NBA: as great as he's been, I think he has the ability to go up to ONE more level and could be a lottery pick. He's got ONE MORE level of fitness he can still get to and with Semi and Tolbert and B Moore (and more guards/shooters), there's a lot of versatility/movement there that could open up the paint for him to operate to showcase his skills. I think he can lose a little more bodyfat, gain a little more muscle and showcase his midrange and rebounding skills and that could get him into the lottery pick conversation, especially with a nice deep run in the tourney next year. Also, you don't want to end your college career the way it happened this year - one more year to get the taste out.

Anyway, that's what I see.

Bottom line: as an SMU alum, I obviously want him to come back (and still think that's ultimately the best option for him - see #3 above), but whatever he chooses I wish him only the best in life. He'll always be a Pony to me, graduate or not. But let's give it one more year, get this team to the final four and go be a lottery pick. With all you've been through, young man, I know it's very seductive to get out now, but you have one more level you can get to and REALLY fulfill all your dreams. Just need to be one more year patient and take the work level up just one more step. Easier said than done, I know.

I guess we'll find out pretty soon either way as I think the date is 4/26 for draft declaration.

I welcome thoughts if you've gotten this far.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I was thinking about this same thing this morning.

I really think it all comes down to whether or not he feels he can be eligible for both semesters next season. If it looks like he can, I imagine the coaches can convince him one more year of seasoning and conditioning at this level can bring huge dividends for his NBA potential.

We'll see.

[MFFL02]

I don't see MK in the NBA, but can definitely play overseas.

[Dwan]

Lottery Pick? Love the kid but with massive improvement, he might sneak into the second round. And there are a few places overseas that pay decent money for stars, but overseas is not really a make decent money option.

[mrydel]

One more year can only help for both his game and his academic future. And would not hurt our team either.

[ojaipony]

Ok so I guess you know more than I do. I think the kid has nba level skill. If you don't, why not?

[Stallion]

vertical

[No Quarter]

I don't know the young man either but suspect that academics and the chance for a degree have little to do with a rational decision. If he is likely to be eligible for two more semesters and improve on his performance this year and if he goes injury free then maybe playing at SMU in 2015 - 16 gets him more lucrative consideration from the NBA. Three ifs. Other wise he probably plays overseas, at least for a start.

Whatever he does I will remember his performance as a Mustang. Whether he stays on the Hilltop or goes pro I'll read anything on ponyfans that looks like an update. I'll look for his picture on the wall at Moody if I ever get there again. In any event I wish him the best.

As an SMU fan I hope he suits up as a Mustang next year, period, although that is a selfish view.

Thanks, MK, for a lot of fun, and thanks also to your team mates on the 2014 - 15 Mustangs.

And I'm hoping for an update on Coach Brown that says he's getting over his bronchitis.

[ojaipony]

vertical

Ha ha, yeah, I've made many comments about that in game. That can be improved with conditioning though. But I hear you.

[ojaipony]

I don't know the young man either but suspect that academics and the chance for a degree have little to do with a rational decision. If he is likely to be eligible for two more semesters and improve on his performance this year and if he goes injury free then maybe playing at SMU in 2015 - 16 gets him more lucrative consideration from the NBA. Three ifs. Other wise he probably plays overseas, at least for a start.

Whatever he does I will remember his performance as a Mustang. Whether he stays on the Hilltop or goes pro I'll read anything on ponyfans that looks like an update. I'll look for his picture on the wall at Moody if I ever get there again. In any event I wish him the best.

As an SMU fan I hope he suits up as a Mustang next year, period, although that is a selfish view.

Thanks, MK, for a lot of fun, and thanks also to your team mates on the 2014 - 15 Mustangs.

And I'm hoping for an update on Coach Brown that says he's getting over his bronchitis.

All great points. And I am concerned about LB also. Hope the mob sends lots of get well cards. PFers should also.

[gostangs]

Stallion is correct. If he stays and REALLY works on his vertical so that he can pick up more rebounds, then he might earn an NBA paycheck. There are a ton of guys that knock around the league for 7-8 yrs pretty much just like MK, but with some more hops. 7-8 NBA years > 9-10 Eurotrash years.

[No Quarter]

Say MK stays in school and takes a degree in history. Say also with some additional coursework he gets a teaching certificate and a job as a teacher supplemented by (probably) coaching basketball. How many years teaching / coaching in the DISD - or Philly for that matter - does it take to equal a year in the pros, here or overseas? And is it possible he might complete the coursework in the off season while playing for pay?

[GiddyUp]

This is an article I found from 2012, anyone know the typical European salaries nowadays? $100K?
Tax-free sounds pretty good.

http://sportsagentblog.com/2012/07/30/n ... to-europe/

I agree with Stallion, his vertical needs work. He was outworked a few times this year by some yo yo guys around the rim.

[Rebel10]

MK has some accolades this year and his value is good and he is healthy. By coming back next year he could risk injury and possible academic probation again. If he goes pro in the USA or overseas he can come back and get his degree afterwards if he wants to do so. Most colleges now have in place programs that allow kids that go pro early to come back to get their degree and the school pays for it. I would imagine SMU has the same program in place. Whatever the case I wish him the best. Selfishly I want him to come back to help SMU but it might not be the best for him.

[Charleston Pony]

If Markus is really agonizing about his decision, I would expect Coach Brown to counsel him...objectively