While LSU freshman forward Anthony Randolph earned his share of press coverage during the past couple of weeks, two other players’ questionable futures with the team have gone somewhat under the radar.
LSU rising senior guard Marcus Thornton and rising senior center Chris Johnson both told The Advocate late this past week they were considering testing “the NBA waters,” but not hiring agents.
If Thornton and Johnson do not hire agents, they will maintain their eligibility for next season.
Thornton’s draft stock does not appear to be very high despite the Baton Rouge native averaging 19.6 points per game this past season – second in the Southeastern Conference.
“Thornton is not really considered a draft prospect – not really on anyone’s radar,” said NBADraft.net reporter Aran Smith.
Smith said Johnson’s potential of getting drafted is better than Thornton’s, but both would be best served to return to school.
“Both guys would probably test, and hopefully Johnson will eventually go back,” Smith said. “I think he’d have a good chance to be a second rounder next year, but I think this year he’s pushing it.”
Smith said Johnson would have to impress scouts in workouts to get drafted. And while Smith thinks Johnson has NBA potential, he does not expect the 6-foot-11-inch center to get drafted this year because he needs to strengthen his body.
Johnson weighed 190 pounds to start his freshman and sophomore seasons but was listed at 205 to begin this past season.
Randolph is the only LSU player ESPN’s Chad Ford ranked on his top 100 draft prospects for the June 26 draft.
April 27 is the deadline for players with remaining eligibility, such as Thornton and Johnson, to declare for the draft.
Although Randolph has already declared, he can still return – as Smith expects Thornton and Johnson to do – as long as he does not hire an agent.
But Smith said LSU fans should not expect Randolph back.
“The assumption is still the same: that he’s not going back and that if he hasn’t already signed an agent, he intends to,” Smith said.
—-Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]