Plaisted makes it official
It may be official now, but it was expected and speculated upon since the Cougars left Anaheim after the loss to Texas A&M.
The big junior will put his name in the NBA Draft but will not sign with an agent. This will enable Plaisted to withdraw his name from the draft if he doesn’t like the positioning in the next month and a half.
Plaisted, who averaged 20.6 points and 12.3 rebounds against Top 10 competition his junior season with highlights against Louisville, North Carolina and Michigan State.
But he has had his down times, bad free throw shooting, some nights he got whistled for goofy fouls, and times where BYU guards would get more rebounds.
Plaisted may be using this “venture” to explore other offers, particularly those in Europe or Asia, where MWC MVP Keena Young has played this past year.
If Plaisted gets a written offer, without an agent of course, for something in the $250,000 range, he may be tempted to turn professional regardless of what happens in the NBA draft on June 26.
But if he doesn’t get some change and a lot of it, the smart move would be to return to a veteran team and make another run at the NCAA and try and enhance his 2009 draft stock. Even if he fails to make an NBA roster, the fact he gets drafted helps negotiating a contract oversees. It has made a huge difference with Travis Hansen, who just signed a multi-million dollar three-year contract in Russia.
This will enable Plaisted to keep his college eligibility for his senior year if he decides to return.
“I have decided to put my name in and pursue my options with the NBA at this time,” Plaisted said. “I am not signing with an agent because I want to leave open the possibility of coming back for my senior season. Playing professional basketball is definitely a goal of min and we have a very good team here at BYU so, either way, I think my options are good.”
Plaisted can now be invited to the pre-draft camps designed to evaluate players. He is allowed to accept expenses to the NBA predraft camp in Orlando, but he must play for any other camps or trips to teams for workouts.
Plaisted would need to withdraw from the draft by June 16, if he wants to return and play at BYU. The NBA draft is June 26. The 6-11, 245 pound junior was first-team all-MWC this past year and helped lead the Cougars to a second-straight regular season MWC title and a Top 25 ranking for eight weeks. The 27-8 record was the second-most wins in school history.
Plaisted will hold a press conference for reporters to day at 2 p.m.