Hmmm… I see it differently than you guys. The rumbling I heard were that he came in as a 5 star off the Turkish national team, and had expectations of being 1 and done. Between the NCAA and Gottfried he never really launched last year (a lot was also due to strength). He looked like a better high post in the UCLA offense with Abu being better on the block. Somehow the few times we did play them together and tried some high low, we inexplicably had Abu up top and Yurt down low.
He tested the pro waters and almost went last year. I was surprised he returned at all.
He improved greatly this year. We would not have won some crucial games without him. We looked the best when he played the best.
I suspect he’s a late first round or second round pick. He’s tall and can shoot and pass. In the pro level, he won’t be guarding the 5, but instead the four spot. The NBA is more offensive minded than college ball, so a guy with his offensive skill does have a spot. He may turn out as a better NBA 4 than he was a college 5.
I thank him for his time at NC state and wish him the best. The wording in the press release was awkward but I guess it is to signal we have another spot open.
