Syracuse Basketball: NBA Scouts urge Oshae Brissett to return to school

Syracuse basketball standout Oshae Brissett is testing the NBA waters. Although several scouts have said he would be better served staying in school.

After the Syracuse basketball season, there were several things we expected to happen. Frank Howard and Paschal Chukwu would graduate and move on. While it was also extremely likely that Tyus Battle would leave the Orange to pursue professional opportunities.

All of those things have happened, but something happened we didn’t expect. Oshae Brissett entering the 2019 NBA Draft.

Entering the NBA Draft doesn’t preclude Oshae from returning to school, that decision he’ll have to make by May 29th at the latest.

But a lot of things have changed this year regarding this process, here are some of the highlights via Jonathan Givony of ESPN:

• For the first time, NCAA players are allowed to hire certified agents to guide them through the draft process.
  • This is actually great news, not just for Oshae, but for all prospects. Before this rule came into existence the player’s families were forced to make all of these decisions (setting up NBA workouts, gathering intel from NBA teams, and trying to counsel the player to make the right decision). Obviously, families aren’t capable of making these decisions, so it makes all the sense in the world for actual professionals to help in their area of expertise.
•  Once they officially sign with an agent, players can only accept the following benefits: transportation, lodging, and meals related to meeting with the agent or conducting workouts with NBA teams.
• Players must withdraw in writing from the NBA draft by May 29 by informing both the NBA and their college’s athletic director. Players who withdraw from the NBA draft and wish to return to college must terminate their representation agreement with agents before enrolling in the ensuing academic term.

On the surface, Oshae entering into the 2019 NBA Draft can only help him. By entering and going through the process Brissett can learn valuable information from NBA teams about his draft stock, what he needs to work on, and if a team is in love with him.

Speaking of draft stock for the first time this year both Jim Boeheim and Brissett will receive written feedback on where Oshae is projected to go or not go in the draft. In the past, this was an oral message.

Mike Waters of Syracuse.com spoke to several NBA scouts and got their opinions on Oshae:

"“This year, it just seemed like he’s gone away from who he had been in the past,’’ the scout added. “It seemed like he was looking to take more 3s, which he’s going to have to do eventually, but he wasn’t ready yet.’’“All sizzle, no steak,’’ this scout said. “He looks the part, but look at the production or lack thereof.’’“Maybe late second round if somebody’s really intrigued with him,’’ the scout said. “I think he’d be better served by coming back and having a big junior year and leading that team.’’"

Although that NBA scout wasn’t the only one who thinks Oshae should come back for another year in Orange. I spoke with a scout who said, “Oshae seemed to be trying too hard to impress NBA teams this past season instead of being who he is.”

That thought seems to have legs because I spoke to Oshae several times this season in the locker room and he said that he kept getting away from what made him successful in his freshman season.

The stats back that up in a comparison between his freshman and sophomore season:

• His scoring dropped by over two points per game.
• Free throw percentage dropped mysteriously by 12 percent.
• While his rebounds per game also dropped.

But even beyond the tangible numbers, Oshae just seemed to have an identity crisis throughout his sophomore season. He had moments where he was the freshman sensation attacking the glass with intensity. Then there were moments where Oshae was in his own mind seemingly unsure of what to do next.

NBA scouts aren’t the only ones urging Oshae to come back for one more season, so am I. His former teammate Tyus Battle spent three years on the hill filled with clutch moments and hype. Despite that, he’s predominantly going undrafted in NBA mock drafts. Do you know where Oshae is rated? Even lower than Battle.

If Battle returned for his senior season, it would’ve done him little good as far as his draft stock is concerned. Everyone knows what Tyus is, that’s not the case for Oshae. He has only scratched the surface of what he’s capable of. Brissett can come back for his junior campaign, lead the Orange and show his development and then enter the 2019 NBA Draft.