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Posted on Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 10:48 a.m.

Michigan basketball recruit Mitch McGary brushes off talk of early entry into NBA

By Nick Baumgardner

Before 2012 Michigan basketball signee Mitch McGary made his commitment to the Wolverines, some analysts discussed the possibility of the power forward skipping college.

As a 19-year-old post-graduate senior at Brewster Academy, McGary — a five-star prospect, according to Rivals and Scout.com — technically has the option of declaring for the 2012 NBA Draft, as he'll be more than a year removed from high school in June.

Though, apparently, the thought of bypassing college is nowhere on McGary's radar.

In an ESPNBoston.com article featuring Brewster's program, author Peter May writes that McGary wants no part of the NBA.

McGary_Block_Featured.jpg

Mitch McGary says he has no plans to jump to the NBA, and he's looking forward to playing at Michigan.

"McGary has committed to Michigan but also has drawn the attention of the National Basketball Association," May wrote. "At least three NBA teams have scouted McGary in non-high school settings.

"(However,) McGary said he isn't remotely ready for the NBA and is looking forward to playing at Michigan with Glenn Robinson III, (a future) Indiana high school teammate at Ann Arbor and the son of former NBA star Glenn Robinson."

The 6-foot-10, 260-pound McGary recently took a tumble in both ESPN.com and Scout.com's recruiting rankings, but is considered one of the top power forwards for the 2012 class.

McGary and his unbeaten Brewster Academy club begin play Thursday in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council boys' basketball tournament .

Fellow 2012 signee Nik Stauskas, a four-star guard who attends prep school at St. Mark's in Massachusetts, will also begin play Thursday in the NEPSAC tournament.

As for Robinson, his Lake Central club advanced out of the first round of the sectional play Tuesday in the Indiana High School Athletic Association's state playoffs.

Speaking of IHSAA sectional action, 2013 Michigan commit Zak Irvin was involved in a thrilling first-round game Tuesday as his top-ranked Hamilton Southeastern club got a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Michigan State signee Gary Harris to knock off No. 3 North Central.

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.

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Comments

chiro19

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.

So Mitch McGary is ready for the NBA but is the 22nd best player according to ESPN?! So by that standard then Arizona has 3 NBA ready guys that have not step foot on campus yet! How rediculous, McGary is either 1 or 2 as a recruit period and he would still be that if a Duke, UNC or Kentucky got him! Notice how he took a tumble after he announced Michigan (yes I do think it is an issue with ESPN trying to hurt the Big10 continuously). In my opinion Nerlens Noel is the only guy ready for the NBA and that is only because of his awesome haircut!!! Go Blue!!!

Danai

Thu, Mar 1, 2012 : 1:23 a.m.

A post graduate senior is just a student who already has the high school diploma but for whatever reason (e.g., need more time to prepare for college life) enrolls in an independent school. Sort of like an extra year of high school. Good for McGary and his parents for understanding his needs. One size doesn't fit all. Hopefully he'll be better prepared for the academic, athletic and social demands once he matriculates. GO BLUE! And a bonus, for sports fans, on this last day of Black History Month: check out UofM's athletic page celebrating Black History Month <a href="http://www.mgoblue.com/genrel/blackhistory-2011.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mgoblue.com/genrel/blackhistory-2011.html</a>

rocco

Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.

If McGary is already 21, the age of the average college grad, I don't see him staying more than one or two years. Why use up a couple of years of NBA time and forgo an extra 5-10 million? College completion and grad school can come later.

RWBill

Thu, Mar 1, 2012 : 1:27 a.m.

The article states he's 19. Maybe that was missing when you read it, that happens.

mookienation

Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.

I think the average age of college graduates is 25 now. I know it doesn't matter and I still agree with your point but... yeah, 25.

j

Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.

How are you a Post-graduate senior? seems ridiculous. At least in college when you do post-graduate work you usually work on another degree or masters or something. What the heck do you do as a post-graduate in High School?

Robert Granville

Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.

Can't wait to beat State outright for the conference championship next year. We really lacked the post presence to do so this year.

jason

Wed, Apr 4, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.

Looking back at this post now after all the players left U of M, gave me a laugh. Ouch good luck next year

j

Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 6:33 p.m.

oh and this year isn't over

j

Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.

You realize this year is not over . . . Stop worrying about state and worry about your own team

SemperFi

Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.

I'm looking forward to seeing this fella in the Maize &amp; Blue next year. He has his head on straight and with Beilien's coaching, should really improve his game. Hopefully, he'll have a great college experience, stick around for a few years and maybe a championship or two.