Mays stays
James Mays has opted to withdraw from the draft and stay at Clemson. And there will be much rejoicing.
“I have decided to return to Clemson for my senior year,” Mays said. “I am glad that I went through this process, but feel coming back will give me a chance to continue to develop as a player, and enhance my draft status for next year.
“It will also allow me to work towards getting a degree, which is important to me and my family. My focus now is to do everything possible to help Clemson win an ACC Championship.”
I’m a little bit more excited about basketball season than I was yesterday.
This news was mostly expected. Everyone figured he withdraw from the draft unless his grades were bad or he somehow became first-round material. Neither of those has happened.
“We’re still in comeback mode,” [his dad] said. “ We’re still planning on him coming back and having a great season unless he’s going to be a first- rounder. That hasn’t changed. We’re still hoping for the first round.” …
Mike DeCourcy, who covers college basketball for The Sporting News, wrote that Mays “played with great energy and produced as a scorer and rebounder” at the predraft camp. “ There’s a spot for him in the league, though he might have a better shot at the first round in the 2008 draft,” DeCourcy wrote.
Sources:
[TigerNet - James Mays Withdraws From NBA Draft]
[The Post & Courier - Mays' dad: Tigers star still deciding on draft]
I guess what James Mays’ dad meant was “Either his grades were bad or this draft class was”, because I don’t think he’ll be a first round pick even next season. He’s still not developed enough yet.