Despite the continual trickle of bad reviews for Krauser’s Chicago Camp Draft performance:
Carl Krauser, PG, Pittsburgh — Krauser didn’t appear quick enough to separate from high-level defenders.
And the fact that other underclassmen are wisely pulling out just based on the knowledge that they won’t get drafted in the first round.
Notre Dame junior forward Torin Francis will withdraw from the NBA draft and return for his senior season, a source close to the Irish program said Tuesday.
The source said Francis would meet with Notre Dame coach Mike Brey on Monday once Brey returned from vacation and send in his paperwork to the NBA. The deadline to withdraw from the draft is Tuesday, June 21.
Francis spent last week at the Chicago pre-draft camp but was unable to convince NBA executives that was worth drafting in the first round.
It is increasingly recognized that Krauser is determined to try and make it in the NBA — or the NBDL or in Europe (despite his protestations otherwise) — somehow.
Krauser, who turned 24 on May 13 and already has earned his degree from Pitt, said he was encouraged by his recent showing at the Chicago camp and is looking forward to a workout Friday with the New York Knicks.
“All I need is one team to say, ‘Carl, we like what you do,'” Krauser said last week in Chicago, where he remained, participating in additional meetings with NBA teams throughout the weekend.
While most NBA observers who were asked about Krauser last week advised the Pitt guard against leaving school early, Krauser remained focused on his plan.
“My mindset is to go to the NBA,” he said.
You would think he would talk to his former teammates about the NBDL (Brandin Knight) and playing overseas (Julius Page) to get an idea of what to expect.
At this point he should just go.
I don’t say this out of frustration with the wait-and-see. I think Krauser should have the right to use all the time possible.
I don’t say this because I think Pitt would be a better team without him. They wouldn’t. I love his game. Even those who are not fans of his style and his game, have to concede that Pitt will be a weaker team. They will be forced to play the new guys sooner and there is a greater element of the unknown. In pure wins and losses, they will be better with Krauser than without.
There is also the selfish reason of seeing them on TV. Without Krauser, Pitt is dropped in expectations and the amount of national TV exposure with the Big East TV deals.
I say it because it seems clear that it is what he wants, and believes he can do. While his game is not ready for the NBA, he is convinced it is close and anything more is just fine tuning he can do at the next level. He doesn’t believe that the college game will help him any longer in reaching the NBA.
This means if he would come back, he would view it simply as a way to showcase himself. That he would be the star attraction and that every game was to demonstrate Carl Krauser. And as the point guard, he could do just that.
Right now, I’m not convinced Coach Jamie Dixon is strong enough to keep him in check. To reach him when the season comes. Krauser has always been one of Dixon’s guys. Krauser was one of the most visible and vocal supporters of Dixon after Howland left.
Long-term, Krauser coming back to Pitt when he doesn’t want it, could do more harm to Pitt basketball if he poisons the clubhouse. If he becomes a distraction and is the scapegoat of the media after every Pitt loss.
