[LUconn]

I'd say about 90%. BUT next years draft is going to STACKED. I think this is his best shot. In my opinion, I don't think Blair will ever get drafted (this year or next year) but I do think he can make an NBA roster the hard way.

[jcmanson]

I think it would have to be around 95% chance that he comes back.

[Stevev]

Thank goodness that there is a good chance of his return. We need his presence out there considering some of the newcomers that are coming in to the program. He is probably NBA material but needs a year to mature a little and needs to end his college playing time with hopefully a winning season. Thanks for your opinions.

[Hold My Own]

99.9% he'll come back b/c the NBA didnt work out

there's always a chance something else could happen though but dont let the NBA be your biggest concern, b/c that's really not even an option for him this year, just seeing where he stacks up

[PAmedic]

Blair enters the NBA draft

by Matthew Hegarty, Sports Reporter
Last Monday, April 17, Liberty University’s most visible men’s basketball player put the National Basketball Association office on notice: Junior Larry Blair is eligible for the 2006 NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 28.

In an interview last Wednesday, Blair was very optimistic about his chances to perform well in the upcoming NBA pre-draft camp from June 6-10 in Orlando, Fla. Still, he understands that because of where he goes to school, he will automatically have to exert more effort. “I know I have the talent to play at (the NBA) level,” Blair said. “I’ll just have to work a lot harder coming from a smaller Division I school.”

The Charlotte, N.C., native expressed his intent to get stronger before the camp. He is unsure of all the drills they will put him through, but he said that he has a friend that has been working out with NBA players and has given him a heads-up on some expectations for those players.

Blair mentioned that he also wanted to “just stay consistent with (his) shooting” in order to prepare himself for June 6.

He plans to work on his quickness and to “get in more of a defensive mindset before the camp.”

He is relatively small for a point guard. However, if the 2005-06 season is any indication, his size will not be much of an issue – according to www.libertyflames.com, Blair averaged almost 23 points per game. His agility was plainly evident on the court as was his ability to captain a team without senior leadership.

Blair pointed out that his small size would be an asset in the pre-draft camp. “I’m quick enough to go past two or three positions, like shooting guards or small forwards,” he said. “I can use (my size) to my advantage…For the most part, people my height don’t have my jumping ability. I can shock some people. Since they’re my size, I can do things they don’t think I can do.”

He is content to try his best and display his skills to scouts in hopes of getting drafted. “It would be a blessing to get picked up by any team,” he said. “If I had a choice, it would be Charlotte, just because it’s my hometown – but it really doesn’t matter to me.”

Blair said that in order to not jeopardize his eligibility, he has not contacted coaches, managers, or team associates. In addition, he did not hire an agent, and that action will serve as a contingency plan for him to possibly return to Liberty for a senior season if he does not sufficiently impress the NBA scouts on hand in Orlando.

He said his teammates and coaches were very supportive of his decision. “People around school told me they would be praying for me, that they support me 100 percent. I’ll just take that and put it in my bag and keep (the prayers) on my heart when I’m trying to go for it.”

Regardless of the outcome this June, Blair affirmed that he fully intends to complete his degree in sports management. “That’s something that can never be taken away,” he said. “I take pride in that. I always look at (my degree) as something that is beyond what any sport can do.”

Contact Matthew Hegarty at mjhegarty@liberty.edu.

"possibly" return?

[Hold My Own]

PA you dont have to worry my man, but yu never know what could happen (not talking about NBA)

[whmatthews]

Someone told me the Spurs had someone at almost every home game to see Larry play... does anyone know if that's true?

[jmdickens]

that is hard to believe....the Spurs in Lynchburg??

[Sly Fox]

All NBA teams have advance scouts who usually hit college games on off nights.

[Brokeback Flamer]

To stir the puddin:
Let us not forget that there are also scouts from all over the world (that would be Europe and Asia as well as the America's) who check these things out. 80K plus would be hard to turn down for a Junior in college.

[Hold My Own]

ohh yeah, if he's offered anything at all he wont be turning it down....but like I said, I think we're a year away from really talking about this, with more than just 1 player

[student]

I heard rumors last year that he wanted out when Dees left, but had to stay for one reason or another...anyone hear that too, or know what was going on there?

And, I agree...hard to turn down money to play ball...I think if he's offered anything, he goes...sad as that may be...guy plays so hard!

[LU'sbestmanger]

that rumor is not true... def not true. think about it, if dees leaves its finally larrys team. why would he decide to leave too? it doesnt make any sense. i wouldnt beleive that even if larry told me himself

[SorryToSay]

Actually I have a good friend of the family that was in the NC State basketball program and he told me that Blair sent out a "feeler" of some sort last year and NC State told him they were not interested due to Larry's grades.

[Hold My Own]

Oh geez, there are tons of players that send out feeler's all the time, that's no surprise.....even after that game against Maryland he was putting out feelers to the ACC.....he's still here, that shouldn't come to a surprise to any of you, if you're playing in the BS and feel like you can play in the ACC then why wouldnt you find out how they feel about your chances


but as far as next year, LB told one of the coach's I'm happy about the new additions to the team, b/c I refuse to go out a loser next year

[Brokeback Flamer]

that rumor is not true... def not true. think about it, if dees leaves its finally larrys team. why would he decide to leave too? it doesnt make any sense. i wouldnt beleive that even if larry told me himself

Once again, please step away from the Kool Aid

[Guest]

June 10th has come and gone, anyone know how Larry did in Orlando?

[LU'sbestmanger]

yea.... he was never invited. i guess that's good because he's back for sure. and there's always next year

[PAmedic]

not listed in the top 100 either, another year may help.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nbadraft/dra ... ear%3d2006

[Hold My Own]

Dang, I thought he'd at least get invited, just not noticed to much

[LU Fan]

I've had the unfortunate luxury of living in Jersey and upstate NY for the past 10 years...with season tix to Rutgers, and now Syracuse for the last 6 of those 10 years. Seeing Big East basketball for that whole decade, I just don't see how LB thought he oculd compete. One more year, and I hope he's able to fulfill his dream. But right now, he's too small to be a 2, not enough of a distributor to be a 1, and unfortunately was the benefactor of a down year within the program. One year, maybe an NCAA tourney run alongside Brew and the others, and he could get a shot as an FA, maybe next year.

Too be honest, I believe its a long, LONG shot all-around. He could turn out to be an NBDL lifer, sadly enough....

[Hold My Own]

While I agree, I'll hold back judgement until next season but like most beleive its a long shot but heck we know he can get paid somewhere, i recommend going over to Europe or somewhere where theres more money then NBDL

[Sly Fox]

Larry has until Sunday to pull himself out of the draft. As soon as somebody gets word one way or the other, please pass it along.

[LUconn]

what a disaster that would be if there was some kind of mixup and he didn't do it.

[Sly Fox]

I sincerely doubt Coach D or his staff would let that deadline slip by unnoticed.