Ivan Rabb turned down a chance to be an NBA lottery pick to return to Cal. Why? Let's dissect the decision.
Why would you go to the NBA versus playing another year at Cal? Money is an obvious answer.
Rabb's answer: “At the end of the day, the NBA isn’t going anywhere, if I’m the guy I’m supposed to be, I should be there next year as well...I want to have fewer weaknesses, so when I get there, I can just continue to get better.”
Why would he NOT choose the NBA now: "Rabb felt he wasn’t ready. He wanted to be a better ball-handler. He wanted to improve as a perimeter defender, cognizant that switching on to wings and holding his own will be crucial to his success at the next level."
Rabb seems self-aware of growth opportunities, needs, and the evolution of the game to demand defending multiple positions (playing small ball).
He understands the risks (injury, dropping draft standing, less money).
The bottom line: "It wasn’t a principled stand against one-and-done culture that should be spun as an affirmative statement for college basketball. A player who says he didn’t feel ready to enter the NBA draft didn’t."
The young man made a choice based on what he believes is in his best longer-term interests. He chose delayed gratification over becoming an "instant millionaire". If you watch his highlights, you'll see that he can benefit from more muscle to go into the Association. I'll be rooting for him.
