Friday, April 24, 2009

Magnum Rolle wading in


This should come as no surprise: LT's Magnum Rolle will explore his NBA ranking but without the 'aid' of an agent.

We're of a split opinion -- Rolle certainly obviously has NBA athletic ability and displayed NBA-talent moments and stretches in various games last season but he hasn't done so throughout a full season.

His production became better once the middle opened up with the dismissal of teammate Kenneth Cooper halfway through last year as greater room became available in which to operate.

More proficient footwork, additional ball skills and 25-30 or so pounds of muscle would put Rolle into the NBA elite category.

So would his development best be served by another year in Ruston or in the pros? That's the ultimate question. He's not going to face elite athletic opponent challenges during another collegiate season but is there really the opportunity to get better during an NBA season where winning and not player development is the focus?

Rolle seems at least somewhat similar to Ex-North Carolina big Brendan Wright, now with the Golden State Warriors. Wright played but his freshman season in Chapel Hill, was the eighth selection in the first round and has played two seasons in the NBA. He's averaged 14 minutes a game, playing in about half of Golden State's contests. Suffice to say, the jury remains out on his NBA career despite amazing athleticness.

Another similar body type, LSU's Anthony Randolph (curiously Rolle's ex-alma mater), played in 63 games during his initial NBA season also with Golden State, averaging just below 18 minutes a contest. He came out after his freshman year.

Bottomline, expect Magnum Rolle to be seen around the various WAC basketball courts in 2009-2010.

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