Even when he committed to Michigan, Isaiah Todd left the door open for a route other than college basketball.
He’s walking through it.
Jason Jordan of Sports Illustrated:Todd officially decommitted from the Wolverines on Tuesday to pursue a pro career.
He plans to hire an agent.
The 18-year-old Todd won’t be eligible for the 2020 NBA draft. But Todd, a skilled and mobile power forward, is a potential lottery pick in 2021.
In the meantime, there more options than just college basketball for elite players coming out of high school. The NBA’s minor league and Australia’s top league are offering special contracts or American teenagers. European leagues don’t have an NBA-style age minimum.
A path like Brandon Jennings’ is no longer such a rarity. Darius Bazley, who planned to join the NBA’s minor league the sat out the season, went No. 23 to the Thunder last year. After playing in Australia’s National Basketball Association, LaMelo Ball and R.J. Hampton project as lottery picks this year. Expect more players than just Todd to take these routes.
At least until the NBA ends the one-and-done era by allowing players to jump straight to the NBA from high school.