Tim Hardaway Jr. tells reporter he doesn't plan to leave the Michigan basketball program
Michigan basketball sophomore Tim Hardaway Jr. is regarded as a player with potential for a career in the NBA one day.
But will that day come sooner rather than later?
In an interview with Grantland.com recently, Hardaway was asked if this season would be his last at Michigan.
"No. We don't know yet. I'm not sure," Hardaway said. "We have to let the season play out. I'm not answering that question, but I can tell you I don't plan on leaving."
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Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway is averaging 14.5 points per game this season for the 13th-ranked Wolverines, shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from behind the 3-point line.
ESPN.com NBA Draft analyst Chad Ford currently rates Hardaway as the 18th-best shooting guard in his recent draft rankings, and classifies Hardaway as a "second round/undrafted" prospect.
Hardaway is not currently projected in NBADraft.net's most recent mock draft for 2012. He is, however, listed as a second round pick for the site's early 2013 mock draft.
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
umgoblue47
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.
what are you, like 10 years old. i bet you sleep with that trophy in your bedroom? you better start looking for another picture because come OCTOBER people are going to think you are a MICHIGAN fan and we don't want you!! GO BLUE!!!!!! NOT GROWN UP AND NEVER WILL BE GROWN UP!!
RWBill
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
Well, he also said, "We don't know, I'm not sure." Please, Sr., slap him across the head once and tell him to get real. He probably needs 2 more seasons. He's been anything but dominant or special on a consistent basis. Hang around until you start to dominate very good 20 year old players, then you might get a good shot at the NBA.
KeepingItReal
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
Tell me the difference between learning for one year in the NBA and staying in college for another year risking the possibility of a career injury. My grandmother use to say, "strike while the iron is hot." Beilein has over a million dollars contract with UM and his future is secured. Hardaway will be foolish to not consider turning pro.
michboy40
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.
The difference is simple. If he stays, he plays. If he goes pro, he rides the bench....if he's lucky.
RWBill
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:15 p.m.
You missed the key point of the article, Jr.'s iron ain't hot.
RWBill
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 3:15 p.m.
You honestly need to be told the difference between playing game time for 40 more college games versus being undrafted and playing in no-defense Europe, fogging up 3 pointers hoping someday to walk onto an NBA team?
fan80
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
Tom: 1. Denard has already stated that he's coming back for his last season of eligibility, indicating that he knows...he's not yet prepared for the NFL. & 2. Tim Hardaway, Jr. "Not ready?" Of course he's not...but "never" ready? What a childish statement...
Tom
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 1:21 a.m.
Tim's about as NBA ready as Denard is NFL ready! NOT READY and NEVER WILL BE READY!
azwolverine
Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 12:26 a.m.
One more year in college and Hardaway could be a first round pick. Besides that, I hope he stays because he is definitely good for Michigan's b-ball team.
David Vande Bunte
Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
Tim Hardaway Jr. is not ready for the NBA yet. Jumping to the NBA this year would be a huge mistake.
RudeJude
Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
You can always go back to college, but you cannot go back to college basketball. The NBA and pro basketball will always be there. Stay for another year, Hardaway!
heartbreakM
Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
well, I remember a similar article and discussion about Darius Morris a year ago. Big difference is family situation, I guess, in that TH Sr is an ex-pro athlete and Morris's family was not. I sure hope TH Jr comes back not just because I am selfishly wanting M to succeed well, but because he is not yet NBA ready as evidenced by his overall performance through the year.