Tennessee basketball: Vols’ Admiral Schofield declaring for NBA Draft, won’t hire agent
Tennessee basketball junior Admiral Schofield declared for the NBA Draft. But the Vols forward did not hire an agent, so he could return to Rocky Top.
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One of Tennessee basketball’s most-improved and most valuable players this year, Admiral Schofield is declaring for the NBA Draft. However, for Volunteers fans who want him back next year, this is no reason to panic whatsoever.
Schofield will not hire an agent, and that makes him still eligible to return to Tennessee. This is clearly an attempt by him to test the waters, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
The junior forward announced his intentions on Twitter. He also said that Rick Barnes encouraged him to do it.
⚓️🧡 pic.twitter.com/dz4Iy3iIQT
— Admiral Schofield (@Uncle_Scho) March 29, 2018
NBA rules allow players to declare once and then return to school if they don’t hire an agent, and that’s clearly what Schofield is doing here. As a 6’5″ wing guy who can play big down low, he’s got some advantages to his game.
However, right now, Schofield is more of a ‘tweener. He’s a power forward with an outside shot stuck at 6’5″. To really develop his NBA game, he likely needs to get quicker and develop better handles. Those things will allow him a great chance to get a roster spot.
Because of that, I would say he’s not going to get any looks right now. There is still too much room for improvement. However, Schofield does have parts to his game NBA teams would love.
He already is tough, strong, a very good shooter and a great passer. Oh, and for his size, he knows how to get in position to rebound.
Add in his work ethic, and Schofield should definitely test the NBA waters. After averaging nearly 14 points a game, he became Tennessee basketball’s best player down the stretch of the season.
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Should Schofield return and play all of next year like the final month of this year, he could improve his draft stock significantly. And if the leap to his senior year is anything like the leap to his junior year, he could blossom into a star.