Is Derrick Favors ready for the NBA after one year? His high school coach weighs in (UPDATED)
Is South Atlanta High legend Derrick Favors ready for the NBA after one season of college?
Is South Atlanta legend Derrick Favors ready for the NBA after one year of college? (AJC file)
That’s what we asked one of the members of his inner circle, South Atlanta High basketball coach Michael Reddick.
What was Reddick’s response? “I haven’t really thought about that. At the moment, Derrick needs to focus on Georgia Tech and how they can improve. He needs to help Georgia Tech make the NCAA tournament and do well.
“You know, when the season is over, you can sit back and think about where things stand. But right now, I wouldn’t even want to speculate on (going to the NBA).”
Perhaps no one knows Derrick like his high school coach. Together, Favors developed into one of the most accomplished prep basketball players in state history. Has he met expectations as a college freshman?
“It depends on whose expectations you’re looking at,” Reddick said. “Some people thought he would come in average 20 points and 15 rebounds. But realistically, you’ve got to do the best you can in a great conference like the ACC. I think he has done very well.”
Loading ...Reddick also wanted to point out something to the Favors followers: He’s still only 18 years old, with his birthday on July 15.
“Do you realize technically he could be a high school junior right now?” Reddick said. “So when you consider that, and look at what’s done in the ACC, it’s amazing. It is really amazing.”
Update: Favors named ACC rookie of the year
Photos on AJC.com: Derrick Favors’ top dunks at Ga. Tech – Vote on them
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82 comments Add your comment
Old School
March 9th, 2010
12:41 pm
Favors’s last game as a collegian will be this week. Some NBA team will take him as a “project” and hope that his undisputed raw potential will be realized with decent coaching. They will also have him improve his work ethic, or else.
With that said, I have no doubt that Favors would have lived up to tghe great hype he had coming out of South Atlantic if two things would have happened:
1- if he had decent coaching indivudually and his backcourt teammates were coached (forced) to get the ball to a player that could dominate the inside
2- IF he worked harder on BOTH ends of the court– he consistently did a poor job in working to get open. As for getting back on defense, what a joke! Come to think of it and to come to partial defense of his teammates who brought the ball downcourt, they may have fed Favors more if he showed effort and smartness in getting open. He not only lacked consistent effort, but it has been obvious from Day One that he was not coached how to play his position against top of the line college players.
With all that said, Favors is long gone. This was a done-deal before he even signed with Tech. It takes two to tango: the NBA will give him a flyer no doubt on potential alone,and Favors clearly had the mindset that Tech was just a brief, but necessary stop-over in route to the Big Bucks.
And frankly, who can blame him? If you, as an entry level understudy into the career of your choice—say in business managaement– and were offerred a starting salary that would feed a third world country would you choose to stay another year in college and perpetuate a sham of carrying books around campus and taking up space in a classroom for 6 months or so.
Yep, it’s a sham. I love the sport of college basketball, but occasionally watching Favors and the many others who are NBA bound and knowing that they are student-athletes in name only and are basically taking a coffee break for one and a half semesters—well, it makes me feel a little hypocitical to watch this sham.
But hey, it’s the way the system is.
One final note: I hold Favors and Hewitt equally culpable for the sub-par performance of both Favors and the Tech team. Hopefully, Favors will not be the only person not on the Jacket bench next season and this “Other Sham” will not be extended another season.
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Wiley's AWoman
March 9th, 2010
1:20 pm
Wiley thinks he knows everything about every sport. Clearly he is a guy who has never played sports in in whole life. He is nothing more than a bonafide smug spectator that thinks Tech is the best @ everything. He should do some more research before he makes these asinine statements.
Dumb GA Tech fans
March 9th, 2010
1:29 pm
Gatech fans are really stupid. Duke gets multiple top players in the nation year end and year that never turn into quality high level pros. Shut up about your coach, and be a true fan. Who took you to the finals? Who has brought in top recruits into your program? Would you rather be UGA? Youll need to grow up. There is no pleasing youll. How is what Hewitt’s done any different than another past GA tech coach done that youll celebrate? Some times, you get what you ask for…….keep asking for a new coach and see what you get.
ATLive
March 9th, 2010
1:30 pm
Favors is phyically ready for the NBA, but his low post moves don’t stand a chance. Good thing it doesn’t matter and they’ll draft him for his potential. He will more than likely be just another role player with potential. i.e. Marvin Williams.
Hey you go to college to get a good job, what’s better than a few million a year?
Welcome to the NBA Derrick.
ATLive
March 9th, 2010
1:33 pm
Agreed @Dumb GA Tech fans. Duke’s Mcdonalds All American bench could beat most of the ACC 4 out of 10 times. They get recruits from all over the nation without dropping a word.
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Delbert D.
March 9th, 2010
6:48 pm
How much will he owe Ga. Tech after defaulting on his free 4 year “scholarship”? 10 to 1 odds that he drops all classes after Tech loses in the ACC tournament.
Shawk
March 9th, 2010
7:15 pm
@ Old School: You don’t really know what you’re talking about..Favors was GT’s best defender, and GT is 3rd in the nation in opponents FG%..so your comment made no sense….
@ Jewel Rollen: In GT’s offense, the bigs never shoot from outside 15 ft really..but if you ever watched him in HS he can shoot from anywhere on the floor, even 3s…
That being said…his aggression fits his personality (quiet) but he’ll be a great pro..first as a defender and rebounder, then his offensive game will come
Buzzzed
March 9th, 2010
7:24 pm
Dilbert, why would Derrick owe Tech for a 4 year scholarship? Hewitt won’t lose 3 years of a scholarship if Derrick leaves. If that was the case, no one would touch one-and-doners. Derrick was worth a one year scholarship just for his blocks and rebounding.
Billy O
March 9th, 2010
8:49 pm
They don’t give 4 year scholarships…..they give 1 year scholarships for 4 years.
Pete B.
March 9th, 2010
9:36 pm
He is the worst foul shooter I have ever seen. Unless you spoon feed him, he can not score on his own. One more year with a good coach, he may improve. Georgia Tech needs a new coach. If favors goes to the NBA, this year, he is a third round material at this time.
GC
March 9th, 2010
10:24 pm
@Pete B.: You’re a clown.
@the others: What does “ready” for the NBA mean to you? Favors is as ready as Tech can ever make him. He shoots well, rebounds well, defends well, and he was named ACC Rookie of the Year today…nothing else to accomplish. Including Favors, freshmen and sophomores will make up 8 of the first 10 picks in the upcoming draft. Until the NBA changes the early entry rule, all our thoughts on this subject are in vain.
GT GRAD
March 9th, 2010
10:26 pm
He has the potential to be a solid NBA player, but he is definitely not ready for the NBA game yet.
He would be much better off in the long run to wait until his game and mental maturity is better suited for the NBA, but I am certain he will enter the NBA next season. If he decides to stay one more year, he has the potential of being a Top 3 pick (Lawal will be gone & Favors would be the primary big man on the team in addition to improved stregth & skills)……………..if he goes after just one year in college, he will probably be a 7-12 pick (based primarily on long term potential).
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Tech Hater
March 9th, 2010
11:21 pm
DFave, as his friends know him, will not stay at the North Ave Trade Skool if “The Obama” of college coaches remains…..However, if PHD(umass) gets canned, Favors will transfer to UGA and his high school coach goes with the deal, because Fox can coach. The Dawgs are one dominating player like Nique, which happens to be Favors, from competing for the SEC title and a brush with national prominence. Tech sucks, face it losers.
neil marlowe
March 10th, 2010
12:19 am
favors, lawal, and schumpert all leave. tech goes 2 and 14 again. Hewitt stays and laughs at all us Tech suckers.
neil marlowe
March 10th, 2010
12:23 am
and one other thing – the administration at one of the best tech schools in the world gives away 11 million to get rid of two coaches(do I have my math right? four mill to ole man Chan and seven mill to
-and I love this name!! – Blewitt). I’m embarrassed for our fine institution.
Ch E class of 1957
neil marlowe
March 10th, 2010
12:24 am
I love it! ! “the obama of college basketball” two losers if there ever were two of a kind.
NBA on the way
March 10th, 2010
4:17 am
Favors is ready for the pros right now. He’s got the total game—should be a high lottery pick with his package.
Michael
March 10th, 2010
6:27 am
neil marlowe, you can thank Dave Braine for the ludicrous contracts that have and will cost millions to buy out. Unfortunately Mr. Braine is not what his name suggests. I like Radakovich, but he is stuck with program-breaking contract.
I am not sure Tech can afford to fire Hewitt if they have to pay 7 million ish. I wonder, would they approach Hewitt and ask for a negotiated buyout (maybe half that amount) an let Hewitt walk away a free agent to coach whereever he want? Hopefully at another ACC school so new Tech coach will have to certain wins against a turnover prone team, totally inept at feeding the post, setting picks, passing the ball quickly or playing great D until they’re 20 points behind.
Michael
March 10th, 2010
6:37 am
Dan Radakovich, please start the negotiations the morning after Tech is eliminated for the year. Which will either be tomorrow night or first round of NCAA tournament.
Hopefully the program can find 3 or 4 million to make a credible and acceptable buyout offer. Hewitt would win because he gets 3 or 4 million (or maybe less, maybe 2 or 2.5 million would do it) and can immediately find a cushy coaching position. Maybe he would like to fill the Hawaii vacancy. It fits his coaching style, laid back and not focused on tasks at hand (like coaching). In Hawaii he can sit at the beach during practices and their team will likely be better than Techs now. Hewitt is one head coach that desparately needs great assistants to mask what is now obvious flaws in ability to coach, especially to coordinate five players to play as one. The individual coaching doesn’t appear much better but the big guys seem to develope some skills at Tech, only for Hewitt to apparently tell his guards to ignore them completely, ESPECIALLY if they get great post position.
If Hewitt reads this, he needs to put all focus next year, if he remains, on going to a coaching clinic to learn how to feed post players, and then drill his guards, non-stop, to make the crisp and EARLY pass as position is being established, not 3 seconds after when the defender has made his way to the front to grab the pass himself. Hewitt must threaten a full game benching for any guard not feeding his bigs appropriately. Also, dress them down when reviewing video of games. STOP letting crappy shooting guards (Shumpert, Udofia, Miller, etc) shoot more than your more talented big men. Ludicrous that some games Lawal and Favors take half as many shots as Udofia, Shumpert, Oliver and Rice. It should be even amounts for the 2 bigs versus the 4 brick-layer savants.
Dockter
March 10th, 2010
8:34 am
I know academic privacy rules prevent knowing the answer to this question, but thanks to the NBAPA I wonder if Mr. Favors is even attending class these days.
Braine's Folly
March 10th, 2010
9:26 am
Georgia Tech legal counsel should sue Dave Braine for incompetence for signing this unbelievable automatic 5 year rollover deal with the incompetent paul hewitt.
Say it Aint So
March 10th, 2010
9:33 am
Mike don’t forget Tech can’t inbound the ball effectively or those long, long scoring droughts. Hewitt has out lived his welcome.
Eagle 1
March 10th, 2010
11:42 am
I would have love to seen Favors at UGA with Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins this year…that would have worked out betta than Udofia and Gani!! Not takins sides just basketball wise!!
Just my Opinion!!!!
Mack
March 10th, 2010
1:01 pm
B real ya’ll! D Favors aint done nothing this entire season to suggest he’s ready for the NBA. He couldn’t dominate the ACC. He is no JJ Hickson. He needs to stay in school and try to help Tech and the new coach get better for next year.
Midnight Rumble
March 10th, 2010
4:33 pm
Tech Hater, you’re right he should transfer to UGA. Sinking into basketball purgatory is much better than making millions of dollars. Get real douche. UGA is where promising basketball careers go to die.
I’m in agreement with most everyone else. Favors isn’t ready to leave, but I think he will anyway. I think he actually hurts his draft stock if he stays another year and Hewitt is still the coach. He got absolutely nothing out of his one year at Tech. So, in theory you could say that Favors really did go straight from high school to the pros since he made 0 improvement/progress since he left high school and stepped foot on the GT basketball court.
Tech Hater
March 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
Midnight, you need to get some sleep….How many Tech athletes have been Super Bowl MVP? How many Tech BBall players are considered among the top 50 players of all time in the NBA?
Answer: 0 (zero) like you rumble. Face it, athletics at the NATS (North Avenue Trade School) are basically on an intramural level most of the time–a rare win in football, losing in BBall when you supposedly have better athletes, an underachieving baseball program, to the only MAJOR UNIVERSITY in the state. Let’s don’t even talk about the women and party scene at NATS, or is there one!!! Go back to your geek world of slide rules, protractors, etc.
UGA Rock Out
March 11th, 2010
11:43 am
Eagle 1, I think your correct. That would have been something to see Favors, Leslie, and Thompkins all on the same team. We’d probably be talking about UGA’s chances for the NCAA tournament over GT.
And as an avid UGA supporter my whole life it really pains me to say this but unfortunately I have to agree with Midnight Rumble. UGA is the basketball purgatory of the SEC, besides Auburn. I wouldn’t say promising careers go to die there, but for the most part nobody cares enough to mention your name when you go to play basketball there. I’ll admit, our football team has been great or atleast good for as long as I can remember. Basketball on the other hand not so much. Dominique Wilkins is the only notable player the school has ever had and they haven’t produced a talent even half as good since he left. While GT is inferior to us in football, even a crappy season by their standards is much better than anything we have had in a long time for the most part. I just want one season where we do good in the tournament and not have it the whole thing vacated because some dumb $h!t coach violated sanctions
JuneBaby
March 15th, 2010
11:20 pm
GT@9:23am…,
what are you trying to say? Coach k recruits all-americans every year. Almost the entire team were all-americans in high school. But, they get to the nba and don’t do squat. To me, that says coach k doesn’t get the most out of his talent, he just rides what he has and doesn’t really raise the level of his players. How can players go to duke for four years, and not be nba ready? Sure, they play geat teamball(for college), but are mediocre individually(nba), with a few exceptions, such as grant hill and c. laetner(?). actually, duke with the players they get, should be winning a lot more championships than they do(on paper).
JuneBaby
March 15th, 2010
11:42 pm
uga rockout…, vern fleming had quite a good nba career, that lasted for many years. ergo for jarvis hayes, who has been in the league for 9-10 years now. maybe not all-stars, but solid players. damien wilkens has also had a good career.