re: Alabama Basketball Recruiting and Offseason Talk

Sexton now the #1 PG according to Scout

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Although Alabama signee Collin Sexton moved up just three spots in the national rankings, it’s notable that he was moved to the No. 1 spot at the point guard position, passing Trevon Duval. Duval, a standout at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, is more naturally gifted than Sexton, but he hasn’t been as consistent as Sexton. You know what you’re getting from Sexton every time he steps on the floor and that’s why he moved atop the position list. Sexton, a 6-foot-2 standout out of Mableton (Ga.) Pebblebrook, is arguably the most competitive kid I’ve covered. He’s tough, plays with great energy and is a relentless driver. Sexton does a good job of playing through contact and is a very good finisher at the rim. He’s also turned into a major threat from long-range. Sexton has always been known as a scorer, but at the McDonald’s All-American game and through Nike Hoop Summit practices, he showed an improvement and a desire to distribute the ball, which is a telling sign in terms of his development. After emerging as a junior, Sexton has dominated nearly every event he’s played in. From FIBA u17 World Championship MVP to leading the EYBL in scoring to impressive outings at McDonald’s and Hoop Summit practices, Sexton has earned his attention every step of the way.

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Don't know if it means anything but Avery said he and Key already talked about everything and Key never mentioned going overseas. Avery said he expects him to be back at Bama by May 30

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Going full FAN, I like to think that this was somewhat coordinated by CAJ. Having Bama guys being talked about for the draft might help a little with publicity with the recruits.

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Or it is a super smart decision to let them hear from NBA people about what they need to work on. I wish Dazon and Hall so of do it too. It is a massive opportunity.

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Don't see it yet on here, but Sexton was bumped up to #3 by 247's rankings.

I think it is their own internal rankings, not the composite. Either way, that's a huge move into the top 5

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What's more surprising is he has moved to 4th on the composite rankings. I figured 247 would have him 3rd because Bamba is the only kid Meyer loves to rave about more and Porter is just a no-brainer.

Obviously I'm selfish and want Key back for us to be a good team next year, but I also want him to come back and get better so he can get drafted in a year or two. I see him as a first rounder potentially if he continues to get better. Leaving now would be a huge mistake. Like someone said before, Sexton coming in allows the offense to run more smoothly and Key will benefit from that. I'm hoping he's just getting his draft grade to see what he needs to improve on.

Avery probably said "Braxton, go get your grade and see what you need to improve on. At this point you're not projected to be picked in the draft, but if they tell you that you have a good chance to be drafted, then I'll leave that up to you on what you do, but we hope to have you back".

That's what I meant earlier with the Avery pulled a Nick Saban. I believe Saban does this a year before guys are actually ready for the league.

And I'm sure Saban gives Avery some tips like that as well

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I don't think Ferguson would have very high words for playing overseas. He averaged like 4 ppg coming off the bench and returned to the US to prepare for the draft as soon as the Australian season ended.

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These are pretty typical stats for a guard, which is why it hasn't really hurt his draft stock.

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Regardless of what it pays, most guys would rather be in the D-League because it's a lot easier to get from there to the pros, and most guys would rather stay in the U.S.

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Getting drafted from overseas is a 1000 times easier. Glen Rice is the only player in recent memory that I remember getting drafted from D-League. If you don't get drafted, it's a wash. Extremely rare for an undrafted player making it out of D-League, but it's equally rare that you see those undrafted guys comeback from overseas to play in the NBA.

That's not an opinion. It is why they made the damn rules the way they are.

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Getting drafted from overseas is a 1000 times easier. Glen Rice is the only player in recent memory that I remember getting drafted from D-League. If you don't get drafted, it's a wash.

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This has nothing to do with what I'm talking about. Glen Rice chose the D league over college.

If you don't get drafted, you have a lot better chance of getting to the NBA through the D League than overseas. About a third of NBA players played in the D League at some point. Patrick Beverley is the only American player I can think of who immediately played overseas after college and got back to the NBA, and he was drafted.