Just looking through threads it is a bit disheartening to see the posters who spend time convincing themselves the sky is falling on a daily basis.

It seems that this group and coaching staff seem to mesh really well. Reading through social media it looks like Carter was with the team earlier than we all thought, looks like Sears enjoys it here and has an ally and mentor on the staff, like the rest of the team leaders enjoy each other and are really good friends. I am not sure why we are convinced they are looking to leave.

Seems like Preston is taking a shot and has a really good head on his shoulders. Jeff Boals is a good guy to have in your corner as he has mentored pros at Ohio State and will help with the decision and evaluations. Perhaps a year of developing his game and his body will elevate his draft status. Some of the other staff seems to have some dealings with NBA and Euro pros. Seems like they have a great relationship with Preston. None of us know past the coaching staff who he has to advocate for him in the family. Multiple interviews this season made it seem like he does not have much family past his Ohio connections. Maybe this thought is wrong but who knows.

Overall the future has a good look to it. It seems counterproductive to be looking at and fretting over who may transfer or who may stay in the draft. Better to look at the closeness of this group and see all good things. Boals seems to have pulled together a group rerecruited from the previous regime and melded with them new blood that by all observations really like each other and want to play and spend time together. He made that distinction in his pregame speech that emphasized what winning a MAC title would bring; group texts, reunions, weddings and a future of shared relationships. He used his own experiences to give purpose and context for them to aspire to and achieve. It is really good to see. We can be happy for these players and hope they all realize what they have accomplished and what they can do in the coming year.Crossing my fingers and wishing for them a complete return and a chance to do it again even better. Free school? More time in Athens? What is the downside?

I think you're on the right track here.

I don’t know if he comes back to Athens. I hope he does vs transferring somewhere.

I love his game however I see next to zero chance he is a second round NBA pick this year.

He needs to play another year somewhere. Hopefully here

Isn't it nice to have this problem? A young man who has grown his game at Ohio, led us to an NCAA victory, and now has a solid opportunity at a lucrative pro career. I don't see any negatives about this.

S.I. Draft Update from earlier today. JP at #65.


https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/28/2021-nba-draft-big-boar...

I don't think anybody would see him going pro as a negative. Him transferring to a bigger school would be seen as a negative to many, including me.

Wish I could put more weight on the "friendships, teammates, comradery, Boals' likability, great campus life" but this is 2021 not 1979. Lot of these kids in today's game went to 3 different high schools.

Plus we've seen plenty of our guys transfer in years past. Until somebody proves me wrong and stays, I will remain cautiously optimistic.

Anytime a fellow Bobcat moves up in the world, I am excited, whether that means going to the NBA, the G League, playing in the International market, or just stepping up to have a chance to play at a major program. Mr. Preston has defied expectations at Ohio and a big thank you, young man, for sticking in there through a coaching change, which is not always easy.

The criticism of him in the SI article regarding potential prospects in the upcoming Draft is fair and points to his potential appeal being about how much upside the pro scouts consider he has. Even the SI article describes him as being an "intriguing sleeper" and so I wish him well. If he returns, that is great, but I am not sure how much of an advantage that would be for him personally.

Still, once a 'Cat always a 'Cat, and so the door is always open for you, Mr. Preston, as well as the rest of your fellow teammates.

Jason Grunkemeyer?

I saw Jay by College Book Store on my way to cash in my
free coffee coupon at Bremen’s.

The way the college girls were drooling over him you’d think he was Jason Momoa.

I had to say it, “so you’re leaving us for the NBA Jay?”
He kinda gave me a deer in the head lights look,
almost as if he didn’t know what the hell I was talking
about. At which point I wished him good luck and
the young man sincerely thanked me for the warm wishes.

Pretty sure he will return.

If the kid can make a sh!t ton of money playing basketball in
The NBA or the Polish League great for him he absolutely deserves it.

https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/05/nba-mock-draft-202...

Seems a bit high.... Possibly the pick or the writer...

Gotta be for clicks right?

I don't think it's getting clicks.