I’d like to go on record and state my belief that Ignas Brazdeikis will be JB’s best pro since Levert. I think the kid’s a killer and I really hope he succeeds at the next level, it was a blast watching him at Michigan
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Agreed. Just curious if any other team has had this many borderline guys leave early. Obviously it may start happening a lot more now
Beilein didn’t go to the NBA because Brazdeikis left and Brazdeikis didn’t go to the NBA because Beilein left.
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Right, Iggy has known that he was leaving from the day he announced he was signing with an agent. Not sure why the notion that he might come back was being promoted.
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A week ago some people were pushing the notion that Zion might come back because he hasn’t officially signed an agent. 
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Sam Vecenie’s thoughts on Iggy:
), Brazdeikis said he believes his current draft range is something like No. 20 to 40. I’ve yet to hear from a team interested in selecting Brazdeikis with a late first-round pick. There might be executives doing due diligence on him in that range, but it’s hard for me to envision him rising to the level that he’s their top choice at that spot. I’d more peg his range in the 35 to 60 area following a below-average NBA Draft Combine performance. He wasn’t particularly good on defense, and scored 18 points on 18 shots in the five-on-five. He measured under 6-6 in shoes with a 6-9 wingspan. His 8-6 standing reach will likely resign him to the wing given his athletic constraints. He tested as an average athlete, which was probably a bit better than expectations. Overall, it just wasn’t a terrific outing for him.
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You said he wouldn’t be able to survive in the B1G.
You’ve graduated to boiled rabbit territory.
His limitations have always been the same. He’s a scorer who is very limited in creating for himself and others. He’s allergic to passing the ball and seeing the court. Just like in Prep School.
It would have been beneficial to him to continue to develop those skills going forward as he expanded his game in college. This past season he played 30 minutes a game, had a 26% usage rate, and averaged 0.8 assists.
It’s also not unreasonable to question who he can guard at the next level effectively. That’s a legitimate concern.
Not surprised to see that many NBA analysts have real trepidation as to whether his measurable’s will allow his game to succeed in the association.
Finishing over length was problematic on many occasions in the B1G last year as opponents scouting reports emerged knowing he wasn’t going to pass.
Just don’t see how he has any primary role on an NBA team going forward. Fringe player at best, struggling to consistently stay on a roster.
I’ve often wondered if he had been on any another college team if many here would have been as enamored of his pro potential?
Good college player who was enjoyable to watch at Michigan. His desire and competitiveness were a constant. He was very integral to our success last season.
Hope he proves me emphatically wrong as his career progresses. Easy kid to root for.
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At this stage in his career it’s probably best to test the water in the professional ranks. Get experience at the next level and hopefully get paid to do so. I hope the floor is a two way deal for IGGY and he can practice against the best in the world. His upside is his physicality, he has a mans body and can get stronger. He won’t have to mature physically like JP (two year process) and has the frame to compete. I think the the sooner he finds his place the better, I see him as a great overseas player if he doesn’t stick in the NBA. Good luck IGGY…get the money!
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This. He wants to play basketball. It’s silly to suggest that if he doesn’t do it with the 450 players in the NBA, or doesn’t do it immediately, that he is somehow a failure at 19-20. I think that fans need to adjust their sights in this regard.
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My belief is that if he didn’t believe the 20 to 40 range, he might have come back (not factoring in the JB departure)
I’ve seen it asserted that agents mislead these guys, but it has to be a double-edged sword. If they have steered you away from money and success you’re not going to hang with them long. I’ll bet that most of them are pretty straightforward with kids. . . on that front.
At least 1 of these 3 player believes they are a lock to be a first round draft pick. I am finding it hard to see at times but they have been told that I hope all 3 are top picks. I like them all and they are good people. I have a soft spot for Matthews right now as he was a great team player. Hoping he finds a home. I bet if you asked every kid at the combine (60 or so kids) what they are hearing, you won’t hear many saying 40 to 60. They probably have all been told a bit of a higher range or they choose to hear what they want to hear
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Might also be–just thinking aloud–that what they say for public consumption is purposefully optimistic. Could be wrong, but I find it hard to believe that most of these pretty thoughtful kids and families don’t want as accurate an analysis as they can obtain. If you’re Iggy there may be zero value in saying you’ve been told you’re not potentially inside that first two-round circle.
I do really like all three of these kids; Matthews is one of my all-time favorites.
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My equally unsourced “belief” is that Iggy never intended to return.
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The more I hear, the more I think you are correct. He put himself in a position where he really couldn’t return. This is Michigan for god sake.
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Ignas Brazdeikis | Michigan | Fr | SF | 6-7 | 221
- Big Board ranking : No. 56
- Previous ranking : No. 55
Brazdeikis announced before the draft combine – and before John Beilein took a beeline from Michigan to Cleveland to coach the Cavaliers – that he was staying in the draft. Then, at the combine, he was all over the place – often lost on defense, somewhat average athletically. Just a guy. For the record, No. 56 is in the range of being drafted. But he didn’t do anything that showed he deserves a look in the late first or early second round during his time at Michigan, nor during his stay in Chicago.
That’s a rough eval. I certainly felt during his 24/5 game against UNC and 17/7 against Villanova that he was worthy of an early second round ranking at the very least. He was the best offensive player on the floor in both games IMO and for much of the season as well
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