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1. Oriakhi is a Sun
MUtigers.com: Alex Oriakhi Headed To Phoenix In NBA Draft
The Trib: Suns take Oriakhi with 57th pick; Pressey, Bowers go undrafted
The Trib (Steve Walentik): Oriakhi talks about wild draft night
The Trib (Steve Walentik): Haith discusses draft night for former Tigers
The Missourian: Missouri's Alex Oriakhi drafted No. 57 by Phoenix Suns
KC Star: Oriakhi picked by Suns; undrafted Pressey to sign with Celtics
Post-Dispatch: Suns select MU's Oriakhi but Pressey goes undrafted
Post-Dispatch: Haith happy for Oriakhi, hopeful for Pressey
I thought my logic was pretty good. By the middle of the second round, you're potentially looking for individual skills, hoping to nab a player who can, at the very least, play an interesting role from the bench. In that sense, I was pretty sure Phil Pressey would get drafted by the mid-50s simply because of his insanely marketable speed and passing. You could see him potentially becoming a nice change-of-pace backup, even if his jumper prevents him from ever doing too much damage in the NBA. I also didn't think Alex Oriakhi and Laurence Bowers were good enough away from the basket (Oriakhi on offense, Bowers on defense) to fit the NBA position their size dictates (PF for Oriakhi, SF for Bowers).
So I figured Pressey would get picked, and Oriakhi and Bowers would fight for a roster spot in the summer league. I was incorrect. The summer league will still very much be involved for all three, I'm sure, but Pressey went undrafted, and Oriakhi was snatched up by the Suns. I guess it's a good thing I don't pretend to be an NBA expert, huh?
Pressey's decision to go pro looks awful now, obviously, but I still can't really blame him. Next year's draft is going to be loaded, and it's unlikely he's going to suddenly develop a consistent jumper in the next 12 months. He probably wasn't going to get picked next year either, so if that's the case, you might as well get started with your professional journey sooner. I'd have loved for him to come back, but what's done is done. Good luck to him. Well, good luck to all three, obviously -- Oriakhi, Flip, and Party Starter.
Other Basketball
PowerMizzou: Summer Sessions: Keanau Post
2. Another football commit!
PowerMizzou: JUCO DB picks Mizzou
Post-Dispatch: Tigers land junior college defensive back
Other Recruiting
PowerMizzou: Expert Breakdown: Logan Cheadle
Seriously, 13 commits before July 1. That's typically a sign of some momentum and positive recruiting. At least until you see the recruiting rankings. Still don't know what to think, still planning on writing about this in the coming weeks (when I'm not drowning in tennis).
All I can say is, if Kenya Dennis is as good as he says he is (and players never exaggerate their skill levels), Mizzou got itself a player.
"I'm big (6-foot-, 195-pounds) and physical," Dennis said. "I think my best skills are that I'm fast and strong. My press coverage is what I specialize in, and I ran a 4.38-second 40 this spring."
Here's to hoping, huh?
There are no highlights of Dennis on YouTube, but wow, what a fantastic accent.
3. Closer Rock M Nation
The Missourian: With fresh sod on MU's rock M hill, Memorial Stadium renovation continues
4. EXPANSIONAPALOOZA™ Revisited
Syracuse.com: Syracuse is about to join the ACC, but what if SU made the move 10 years ago?
5. WHATNOT
Softball
MUtigers.com: Incoming Freshman Named National Player of the Year
Volleyball
MUtigers.com: Volleyball Season Preview Part Three - The Setters
Wrestling
MUtigers.com: Mizzou Wrestling Blog: Throwback Thursday Edition
Administration
Mizzou Athletics Promotes Carly Northup - MUTIGERS.COM - The University of Missouri Official Athletic Site