Thompkins enters NBA draft; Leslie tests waters, too
(Updated 6 p.m.)
ATHENS — Trey Thompkins has played his last basketball game for Georgia, and Travis Leslie might have done so, too.
Thompkins and Leslie, juniors who were the Bulldogs’ top two scorers and rebounders this past season, announced Tuesday they will enter the NBA draft, although one of them — Leslie — left open the option of withdrawing.
Thompkins said he’ll hire an agent, meaning his decision to enter the draft and end his college career will be irreversible. Leslie said he will not hire an agent at this point, thus preserving the option of pulling out of the draft by the NCAA’s May 8 deadline and returning for his senior season at UGA.
Thompkins’ decision — and potentially Leslie’s — will mean a much different look next season for the Bulldogs, who are coming off a 21-12 season and an NCAA tournament appearance.
Thompkins, a 6-foot-10 forward from Lithonia, averaged 16.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in an injury-filled junior season. Leslie, a 6-4 guard from Decatur, averaged 14.4 points and 7.2 rebounds.
The consensus of draft analysts is that both players likely will be late first-round or early second-round picks, although one service, nbadraft.net, projects Thompkins near the middle of the first round at No. 17. His decision to enter the draft was not a surprise.
“I have spoken with my family and coaches about my situation, and I feel that it’s best for me to forgo my senior season,” Thompkins said in a statement. “I would just like to thank everyone who has supported me in this decision.”
Said coach Mark Fox: “I just feel like he felt like it was his time.”
Leslie, on the other hand, is unsure whether this is his time. He’ll receive a projection of his draft stock from the NBA’s underclassmen advisory committee, and Fox will help him gather information from the league’s 30 general managers. Leslie can begin working out for NBA teams April 29, but can’t do so on days he has classes.
“He is doing just what I think he should do — find out what the NBA thinks about him and [then] make an educated decision with the right facts,” Fox said.
Only first-round picks receive guaranteed contracts, and Fox figures Leslie “would need to hear” that he’ll be a first-rounder. Beyond that, “he’s going to have to make a decision on where his cut line is,” Fox said. “Is his cut line being the 20th pick in the draft? Is it being the 25th pick?”
Leslie declined to comment Tuesday.
Thompkins’ departure, combined with the loss of seniors Jeremy Price and Chris Barnes, ensures that the Bulldogs will be a smaller team next season. That translates to a different style of play.
Fox said he expects forwards Marcus Thornton and Donte Williams, both of whom played sparingly as a freshmen, to be “productive frontline players” next season.
“One thing we haven’t been able to do … is play the style of defense that I want to play because we haven’t been fast enough, quick enough, interchangeable enough, to do that,” Fox said. “Next year there’s a great chance we’ll look a lot more like I want us to defensively.”
But before Fox can formulate a plan for next season, he needs to know whether Leslie will be on the team.
“Obviously, because he’s a great player, [his decision] will impact how we’re going to play,” Fox said. “In the meantime, we’re somewhat in a holding pattern.”
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97 comments Add your comment
Andrew
April 5th, 2011
2:01 pm
We are going to be awful next year.
NCAA Tourney selection committee
April 5th, 2011
2:08 pm
yeah yeah. So its pretty obvious we should have taken a Bama team that beat UGA twice in the final week of the season and then went 4-1 in the NIT to the championship game while UGA was one and done. We’ll get it right next year.
Buckeye
April 5th, 2011
2:12 pm
Good luck Howard ( before I was Trey).
I’ve enjoyed watching you play and rooting for you at Wesleyan and UGA.
The NBA is a man’s world. I hope to see you now and then on the telly.
Tech Man
April 5th, 2011
2:12 pm
Wish them the best of luck. I think most guys leave a year to early, and that probably holds here also. Unless they have some tremendous year that they aren’t likely to duplicate, they would be better off waiting. That has been true with most of Tech’s guys who have left early. I can’t blame anyone for leaving if they can earn big money. You go to college to be able to earn a living. My method of earning a living may be different, but if I could leave after a couple of years to make millions, I would. I just hate seeing guys leave early THINKING they will earn millions, only then don’t make it. I do wish that b’ball would but in the same rules as college baseball. Go straight from high school, or leave after your junior year, or after your senior year. I think one-and-done’s are the worst for both the schools and the kids. The kid just has to pass enough easy freshman courses to be eligible one semester, and then they can just say forget it. The season is over before the second semester grades come out. But if guys stay through their junior years, while I might not always agree with them about it being the best for them, I say nothing but Thanks and Good Luck! That goes to both Thomkins and Leslie. Good Luck guys!
phil
April 5th, 2011
2:19 pm
I realize many of my fellow dawg fans are dumb as bricks, but some of these comments serve to confirm my opinion. You people are congratulating these guys? For what? Being morons? Neither could succeed in college ball. Now they think they’re ready to go pro? TT is as soft as a twinkie. All Leslie can do is dunk. They’ll be eaten alive next year. Any money they earn will be instantly spent, if the past is any guide. I’m not happy for them. I feel sorry for them.
AthensDawg
April 5th, 2011
2:26 pm
Phil your the biggest idiot I have ever seen on here. Just saying.
AthensDawg
April 5th, 2011
2:30 pm
Plus why do you feel sorry for them. They are the ones that will make millions of dollars unlike Phil the fair weathered dawg fan that nobody likes. If you have that attitude then get out of the Bulldawg nation.
robodawg
April 5th, 2011
2:33 pm
Much appreciation to Trey and Travis both. It will be interesting to see Leslie’s draft projection and what he decides. Best wishes to both players … DGDs.
ormewood
April 5th, 2011
2:37 pm
If your team aspires to be one of the nation’s elite, then this is what happens. Highly-recruited players, those with potential, guys that have improved dramatically, will leave early. Happens at every elite school in basketball. It obviously happens on the football field, as well, though only after theri junior years, which is what Thompkins and Leslie are any way.
Get over it. Wish them well. Rally around the guys that are still on the team. Actually having guys leave early can be beneficial when it comes to recruiting.
Dawg1
April 5th, 2011
2:38 pm
Really believe both young men would be better served waiting a year, especially with a potential ‘lock out’ coming next season.
Tompkins acually dropped a little. Coming back with a stronger supporting cast next year could only help him. Plus your a little stronger, wiser, etc.
With that said – wishing both young men nothing but the best!
Go Dawgs!
April 5th, 2011
2:39 pm
I love how people want to label athletes as “dumb” for cashing in a golden ticket, as if none of you would.
In fairy land the point of going to college is to become more educated, well spoken, with the ability to contribute to society.
In reality it’s to make a way to earn a decent living.
How exactly is it dumb for any athlete to leave school early to earn more money in a season or two than most will in a lifetime?
BTW- there is a little spoken about program called PEP (Post Eligibility Program) that works with athletes who leave early to complete their degrees. Some notible athletes who have taken advantage of the program are: Shaq, Vince Carter, Champ Bailey, and Herschel Walker to name a few.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 5th, 2011
2:40 pm
Good luck Trey. Thanks for coming back for this year and helping to put the Dawg BB program back on the map in a positive way.
AthensDawg
April 5th, 2011
2:41 pm
Dawg1 agreed 100% percent. Thompkins will get drafted in the late 1st to early 2nd. It will take him a couple of years to develop but he has great potential.
Jimmy Crack
April 5th, 2011
2:47 pm
Just a guess…
Thompkins…1st Round, 18th overall pick
Leslie………..2nd Round, 50th overall pick (Atlanta Hawks
Go Dawgs!
April 5th, 2011
2:48 pm
AthensDawg
April 5th, 2011
2:41 pm
Dawg1 agreed 100% percent. Thompkins will get drafted in the late 1st to early 2nd. It will take him a couple of years to develop but he has great potential.
I agree with you both. I think Travis Leslie aka “Dr. Dunkenstein” should come back as he would definitely upgrade his stock.
NCAA selection process
April 5th, 2011
2:50 pm
Once more, let’s go over this for the umpteenth time. Teams are selected for the tournament for a body of work, not one or two head to head matchups. UGA’s SOS and RPI both blew Bama away. Grant needs to schedule better.
Mark Fox to NC State, as someone posted- Why? He has a better job now.
Buzz
April 5th, 2011
2:56 pm
Ron, really? Really? Wow…….
Buckeye
April 5th, 2011
2:57 pm
SI.com’s Luke Win projected next year’s top 32. Uga, formerly known as Howard ( before I was Trey) and Co., is no where to be found.
Buh Bye
April 5th, 2011
3:10 pm
Buh bye. Who cares. He would never have graduated anyway.
GTBob
April 5th, 2011
3:11 pm
Thompkins is ready in my opinion. He projects pretty well to the next level and has a lot of talent that professional coaches will be able to develop further. There is no real reason for him to stay. As for Leslie, well, i’m not sure what he is thinking. I can’t find a mock draft anywhere that even has him getting drafted. Not to mention he has serious flaws in his game that he should be working on.
phil
April 5th, 2011
3:20 pm
Adawg….continue on along in your fantasy world where rarely winning anything that matters satisfies you….fair weather fan? How old are you….12?
I’m knocking those guys because they need to be knocked….I don’t think they’re remotely ready, as shown by our NCAA tourney record in their years in athens…..0-1….pathetic and embarassing.
CatsFly
April 5th, 2011
3:24 pm
Actually, it looks like a calculated and smart move for Thomkins. With it looking like Zeller, Henson, and Barnes (UNC), as well as the Ohio State big are staying another year, Thomkins will not have to compete with these guys if he goes this year. I understand his decision.
pikedawg
April 5th, 2011
3:25 pm
phil, you’re pathetic and embarassing. I’m sure Trey will care what you think when he is on the way to the bank next season. The kid was hurt the entire year and played as well as he could. He played a great game in the NCAA tournament. When you got no help you got no help.
Delbert D.
April 5th, 2011
3:26 pm
These 2 guys, and Shumpert of Georgia Tech hopefully will get some sage advice on the probability of being a low draft pick and possibly 2-3 years in the NBA weighed against improvement of their skills their senior year plus a degree. What’s one more year, unless they are not on track academically?
npgator
April 5th, 2011
3:36 pm
Gator bait next year!
One and Done
April 5th, 2011
4:00 pm
UGA will be lucky to get a NIT bid for the next two years. UGA ’s smallish line up wont measure up to the Vandy’s,Florida’s ,Kentucky’s and Tennessee’s in the SEC east. UGA should’ve hired Shaka Smart when he was an assistant over at Clemson . That guy can coach and doesnt look clueless on courtside in BIG games.
UGASlobberknocker
April 5th, 2011
4:03 pm
npgator youre still a loser
J-Smoove
April 5th, 2011
4:17 pm
Good luck Trey and thanks for your help in bringing back the Dawgs basketball program. Don’t blame Trey at all for leaving. He’ll be a top 15 pick this year. Travis should stick around for another year. He has freakish athletic ability but don’t think his overall game is ready for the NBA. Looking forward to next year and hope Fox can bring in some more young talent and keep this going in the right direction. GOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me
April 5th, 2011
4:20 pm
His teammates hated him and he was a cancer. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out Trey.
RaleighDawg
April 5th, 2011
4:28 pm
Nothing to be gained for Travis (specifically for Travis, not Fox and UGA) to come back next year. His spot (if indeed he has one) in the NBA will be at the 2 guard and when will he get any minutes with Dustin, Gerald, Sharrod, and Vinnie coming back next year – plus Pope and possibly (emphasis on possibly) Ware coming in ? His future is playing basketball, not academics – and even if he doesn’t get drafted by the NBA he’s better off spending next year in the D-League or Europe working on his jump shot, ball handling, and defense than hanging around Athens for 30 or so games. Smart move and good luck T-Bird !
Einsteindawg
April 5th, 2011
4:54 pm
Thanks Trey for your contributions and excitement…good luck in the draft. I think he’ll be a top 12-16 pick; however, Leslie won’t be drafted. I think one more year at UGA with the incoming freshmen will help his status for 2012. And, I look for a better UGA team as well.
phil
April 5th, 2011
4:56 pm
You know, Pikedawg, you’re right! Trey was awesome making all those turnovers and loafing back down on defense time and again against Washington….and the way he threw away the Bama game in the SEC tourney? that was good stuff too….I apologize…he’s ready for the pros for sure.
phil
April 5th, 2011
4:59 pm
In a minimal defense of Trey, he wasn’t the buffoon who called timeout with one second left in the bama game as the winning shot was about to be fired up there. Timeout with time to actually call a play and inbound the ball and get a decent look would’ve made too much sense. Or is this kind of thing too difficult for you “positive” folks to grasp? Lucky for the Butlers and VCUs of the world that they don’t have Coach Faux trying to figure out what to do….reminded me of Les Miles his first year at LSU calling timeout right after a punt to stop the clock….moronic…
Doctorpl
April 5th, 2011
5:08 pm
Both players are free to leave or stay. It’s their choice. Just wonder what position Travis can play in the NBA. At 6′4″ he’s the size of a guard (Pt or SG) but doesn’t have the skillset for either the 1 or 2 guard.
Hoe’s too small for the 3 position and lacks a good outside shot. He reminds me of a short version of Jsmooth. of the Hawks.
Concerned
April 5th, 2011
5:15 pm
Not sure how we are going to be able to replace the 2 rebounds and 4 TO’s Trey had against Alabama in the SEC Tournament.
home cooking
April 5th, 2011
5:25 pm
WOW! It is amazing to hear what fans say about kids that played for your school and represented the program well now that they want to open another chapter in their lives and pursue their dream.
And people say the kids are the problem………..
home cooking
April 5th, 2011
5:33 pm
I wish Thompkins and Leslie could have seen how the UGA fan base would react to them pursuing the NBA during their high school recruitment process, things may have been different……..
Sloan
April 5th, 2011
7:47 pm
Tompkins is all potential, and if he develops will make a decent NBA player. Leslie is a great athlete, but he doesn’t have an NBA position as others have pointed out above. Both should stay in school another year especially since a long, protracted lockout is likely in the NBA next year.
51WTGW50
April 5th, 2011
8:54 pm
It is not like these guys were going to be Business Leaders with their UGA degrees. NBA Europe here they come. Their Agents will get more money than these 2 GUYS.
l jones
April 5th, 2011
9:57 pm
Good luck to both. I hope they come back and visit UGA often. Thompkins will have a solid NBA career. He played hurt almost all season. Leslie needs to come back and become a better shooter. Apparently he can’t play point guard, and at 6 ft 3 or so (?), I don’t know if he can get a lot of playing time as an NBA shooting guard.
DawgGoneTruth
April 6th, 2011
5:07 am
Remember Crittenton, Jones, Glover, and others. Stay another year, hone your craft, then go pro when you’re really ready.
TLH404
April 6th, 2011
5:35 am
Leslie is not a first rounder… but I think he’s NBA ready.
Boobie Bowden
April 6th, 2011
7:53 am
I’m a Techie but good luck to both these young men. They have earned the right to try pursue a better life.
Joey
April 6th, 2011
8:27 am
Bad decision. We have heard the last of Mr. Thompkins
BG
April 6th, 2011
11:54 am
Come be a DAWG Mr. Ware.
cdog
April 7th, 2011
5:46 am
dissapointed in both.they can’t dominate in the SEC and both are declaring for the NBA? just show you what kind of society we live in.neither is even close to playing in the nba.greed and stupidity dominate our society.hopefully, both will wise up as they get older
SLAM ONLINE | » 2011 NBA Draft Entries Update
April 7th, 2011
5:00 pm
[...] to enter the 2011 NBA Draft or test the waters are Illini’s Jereme Richmond, Georgia’s Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie, and Georgia Tech’s Iman [...]