Re: OT: Zags going hard after Sabonis' son
Stockton is a generation ago. The only other Zags to ever play in the NBA are: Dickau and Adam Morrison (lasted 5 and 3 years), and still playing: Turiaf, Daye (usually a DNP) and Sacre (an end of Round 2 rookie), and future: Olynik. Should I mention Slim Pickens?
Gonzaga is not a traditional NBA factory like some major programs. If Arvydas sends his kid overseas, I think it will only be to one of those solid gold schools.
It's really unfair to bring the success of Gonzaga players in the pro's into the discussion. Obviously, schools with rich traditions will attract the top recruits. That's where Gonzaga is different. Despite his flop of a career, nobody recruited Morrison, and he was one of the best NCAA players of the decade. I doubt Duke, Kentucky, or any school for that matter, knew who the hell Kelly Olynyk was, and now he's looking at the lottery.
Similarly, how is Daniel Orton doing? It's one thing to get big time recruits, that will be pro's regardless of the school they go to, and it's another thing to develop talent. Take Martynas Pocius for example. Duke brought him into the fold at a time when he was the next cant-miss Lithuanian, who was amazing scouts with his athleticism in the Hoop Summit, yet he sat on Dukes bench, rotted and never really played. He resurrected his career going back to Europe and now worked his way back up to playing for Real Madrid, no thanks to Duke.
My point is, there's a difference between committing to a school to sell your brand and committing to a school that can develop your skills, and if there is really more perfect blueprint for Sabonis' son than Kelly Olynyk, it's probably Przemek Karnowski. If he weren't playing in one of the deepest frontcourts in the NCAA, he would have a bigger buzz around his name right now. I would not be the least bit surprised if would up declaring for the draft before Sabonis even makes a college decision.
