Ivan Rabb may be the best NBA prospect not to declare for the draft
In a year in which virtually every other potential first-round pick at least declared for the draft to get a better idea of his NBA stock, Cal’s Ivan Rabb is the rare exception.
The 6-foot-11 freshman announced he will return to the Bears next season soon after the deadline to enter the draft passed on Sunday night.
Rabb is probably the most decorated NBA prospect who will definitely return to college next season. Had he chosen to enter the draft, he likely would have been selected in the first round and perhaps would have gone in the top 15 or 20.
“Ivan is an tremendous person and student-athlete to have on our team,” Cal coach Cuonzo Martin said in a statement. “He and his family have put a lot of thought into making a decision that was right for him. He is a talented basketball player with a very bright future, and we are excited to have Ivan continue as a member of our Cal basketball program.”
Rabb played in all 34 games this past season, shot 61.5 percent from the field and averaged 12.5 points and a team-high 8.6 rebounds. He could have a monster sophomore season and perhaps improve his draft stock if he adds muscle and develops into a dominant player at both ends.
Cal will need Rabb to be exceptional to finish in the upper third of a Pac-12 that could be very good next season.
Oregon could return the core of an Elite Eight team if Tyler Dorsey and Dillon Brooks return. Arizona and UCLA will be loaded with young talent. USC could be Top 25 good even without Julian Jacobs and even better than that if he does come back.
With two starters returning besides Rabb, Cal should be in the next tier along with Utah, Colorado, Oregon State and Washington. Point guard Sam Singer and wings Jabari Bird and Jordan Mathews form a solid perimeter unit, but the Bears will miss the ability of Tyrone Wallace and Jaylen Brown to create off the dribble for themselves and others.
Still, Rabb’s return will go a long way toward hiding that. The Bears should now have one of the top non-freshmen in the nation next season to anchor their frontcourt.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
