SeattleJay wrote:AttyAlum wrote:TrueBlueJay wrote:Kaluma declaring for NBA
Figured this was coming. I don’t think he had the breakout year he was expecting.
Interesting that Kaluma didn’t say if he was maintaining his college eligibility or not.
So many super-talented kids must go through this every year. Since they were in 8th grade, they stood out. NBA dreams dominate their thoughts. That's the likeliest (only?) destination in their minds. The chatter around them confirms this NBA path, whether it's recruiters, college coaches, agents, fans, freeloaders, family.
Then, it doesn't quite go as anticipated. Very solid college player. Glimpses of greatness, but that projected lottery pick prediction never comes. Dreams not completely stomped, but less certain. Some doubt must creep in. At such a young age, that must be rough.
I always thought Kaluma's ceiling NBA comp was Pascal Siakam. Their games had some similarities. But in watching his few years at Creighton, and seeing him enough this past year at K-State, for whatever reason - that expected jump in his game never happened.
Maybe that jump is still in there. Some players don't show everything until they devote 100% of their time to basketball. I hope he kills it as a professional. He worked his butt off at Creighton and was always a good representative of the University.