Sorry Trent, not gonna do much in the NBA. For the most part I have enjoyed watching you play here in Provo, but you're not gonna survive the NBA. Good luck though.

Good luck to Trent on testing the NBA waters. If you feel you're ready, go for it.

On the other hand, CougarNation will gladly welcome you back if you decide to come back for your senior year.

Get those free throws up to 70% and develop a reliable mid-range jumper.

Shawn Bradley, please pick up a white courtesy phone.

It's laughable that he thinks he's even going to get looked at in the draft. A big man not even averaging a double-double in the Mountain Weak Conference?

He will have to take a pay cut to play in the NBA.

Needs to improve in right-hand confidence/results, jumpshot, and free throws to compete in the NBA.

Are you kidding me, with Plaisteds fall away underhand ten foot hook shot that he has developed this year, who wouldn't want him. I mean it rarely goes in, but it never gets blocked. Plus if i were in his shoes, I would go to the NBA too. You know that Miles is just going to steal more and more of his minutes. That is sad, because Miles isn't that good. Who is he kidding. Get a college education so that he can support his family. What a joke. NBA.

Get real. At best he's a mid 2nd-round draft pick.

Expect him back for next year folks...

No way he's good enough to play at the NBA level at this point. Players like Shaquille O'Neal are good enough to be lousy at the free-throw line, but not Plaisted.

I'm sure many of you remember Mark Eaton getting fouled late in games and watching him miss his free throws and the Jazz would lose.

And then there's Shawn Bradley, whom Roger Reid tried to build his team around in the early 1990's. Had Russell Larson not come out of nowhere to take Bradley's place, the Cougars would have some very difficult times. Once the Cougars signed Bradley, no center dared come to BYU because they would never have played.

More importantly, I think that LDS players shouldn't be putting themselves ahead of the team. If he stuck to his beliefs, he'd realize that he'll only get better next year and increase his chances of being a solid NBA player.

What's up with knocking Trent for trying to fulfill a goal to play in the NBA? I will readily admit that he could use one more year but I'm not going to tear him down. I also beleive he will be back in a cougar uniform next year.

I see D league written all over this guy at the moment. He needs another year of play to build up his draft stock.

Trent is free to test the NBA waters, but I believe that he is not NBA material, at least not at this time. He needs more power moves, and he needs to have a higher shooting percentage. If he were taller (maybe Shawn Bradley's height or close to it), he could probably become a millionaire role player now. So,I hope he returns for his senior season.

I can see his reasoning- but anyone who follows basketball knows Trent Plaisted is not NBA material yet. The potential is there, but Trent needs to work on consistency in the paint, free throw shooting, and we need to see him dominate. He plays on a good team- but does not stick out. BYU wins because they play as a team.

He isn't NBA material yet, too inconsistent and lacks intensity play-to-play...

He's projected as a late-first to early-second round pick. Whether he makes it in the NBA or not, he's got the opportunity to make a quick six figures. You can't blame the man for testing those waters. I do agree he'll come back though, and be a solid first round pick next year.

My Prediction for Plaistead is the same as my prediction for Brett Farve: both will be back with their old teams by the fall. Plaistead is being smart about it, just testing the waters as much as possible without jumping in.

He'll probably find that there isn't as much demand as he'd like to see, and the door is still open to come back to BYU for his senior year. BYU will be much better with him, of course. And I speak for most everyone when I say that one more year of college is the best thing for him, if he wants to increase his NBA potential.

sorry about the spelling, it's Plaisted of course.

What does being LDS have to do on whether or not players should or shouldn't put themselves ahead of a team? Typical state of Utah fans. Cheer your players and treat them like heros until they leave early or get traded and then instead of appreciating what they've given you have to defame them? Stop being such homers and appreciate the talents of all. I don't think Plaistad is that good, but he could very well be a late first round draft pick. And he certainly can play overseas for good money. He needs to do what is right for his situation. Either way I appreciate what he has given to BYU.

Maybe he should try and get his team out of the first round?

Even if he didn't plan on entering the draft (not just testing the waters), this is a smart move regardless if he is ready or not. When he works out, NBA teams will notice him and take a closer look at him for his last year at BYU.

This is a good move to improve your draft value. He will go from projected late first to early second round pick to mid first round next year.

I actually agree with most of the comments on this board, which is quite rare, when the Ute and BYU people can almost agree on something. I think the BYU people are probably realistic, knowing that Trent has helped our team and is an asset, but is nowhere close to being an NBA guy. And the Ute people are just being anti-BYU.

As true as it is, that Plaisted has the right to test the waters and do what's right for his situation, we have the right to express our opinions. Or is this a "fact" board or a "don't hurt my feelings" board?

I don't know to many potential NBA players that can't get their team to a first round NCAA win in two years. I like Trent and he has been a big part of improving BYU Basketball but he is not even as good as Travis Hansen or Adarujo and we know how their NBA careers went. I will cheer for him either way but it seems more like wishful thinking at this point!

Dick Vitale may have been impressed in January, but he was probably speechless as BYU stumbled to the conference tourney 2nd place finish and a one and done in the biggie. Look at Plaisted's numbers in those meaningful games...where was he, looking for an agent? He certainly wasn't dominating like an NBA prospect ought to...

Trent, stay in school.

Just my thoughts.

LOL

He will not get drafted. He needs to play another year at BYU and play a lot more aggresive.

Who could possibly fault a person from taking steps towards achieving a life-time goal? or bettering the potential financial situation for him or his family?

I wish Trent Plaisted lots of luck, and he will need it.

After watching Trent play many games I think his ability to contribute to a NBA team is questionable, at best. Don't care what Dick Vitale or anybody else says.

J.C. Carroll tried this last year and, unfortunate as it sounds, will likely end up playing in Italy if he's lucky.

Barring some unbelieveable progress next season, Trent is headed for the same situation.

Anybody, Trent included, who thinks he will be a first round NBA draft pick this year or next next year is delusional.

Hey Cougfanblue where in the world are you getting your info. from in saying that Plaisted is a late first early 2nd round pick???

He isn't even the most dominant player on his own team!! What a joke!!!!!!!

Typical BYU white boy attitude. Thinks he can play and will be sitting on the bench in Italy before he knows it. Another Mike Smith. Plaisted you are good for MWC standards but play caliber teams week in and week out is a dream in your head.

The NBA is much better than Provo.

he's making a wise decision. I think he knows fully well that he won't be drafted in the first round but by not hiring an agent, he can participate in workouts, get a feel for where he might land in the draft (late 2nd round at best) and get feedback on how he might improve for next year's draft. Notwithstanding, I personally don't think he's NBA material but he probably will have a career in Europe and make pretty decent coin.

I expect Trent to be in Cougar blue next year. After watching the Sweet Sixteen on, everyone realizes what an average player Trent is. Who is giving him the counseling. I hope it isn't Coach Rose, I have too much respect for him, to think that Trent is ready for the NBA. Stay home Trent and gain some needed experience, work on the free throws and make more than 10% of your paint shots. I never seen anyone miss more 2-3 foot layups.

I think Trent will graduate this year with his degree.

I don't blame him for trying it out.

By the way, Hansen and Araujo are making millions playing in Russia.

More than many commenting on here will make in a lifetime.

i hear the washington generals are looking for a good center-- trent can be the guy who gets pantsed by the globetrotters every night!

Don't worry if you can't hit a free throw. Just put on 150lbs and you'll be fine in the nba.

Don't laugh. He's just as good as Shaq from the free throw line.

I'm a big cougar fan and would like to see him do well...but I know he isn't even close to NBA ability. He has athleticism and about 2 post moves. He can't play anyone bigger than him and he has no jump shot. He won't be a defensive force for anyone down low. He'll be back next year.

Absolutely not a chance this guy sees an NBA game. He'd be lucky to make the developmental league as a benchwarmer. I hear the Flash need a new ticket window guy, seriously! I don't think he's tough enough or committed enough, not to mention his skills lack. Stick to your beliefs and stay at BYU with your team and support the guys coming back from missions. They can teach you a thing or two.

Here's a little free advice for Trent Plaisted from my high school guidance counselor... stay in school! If you are lucky you MIGHT go late in the second round and end up on the bench somewhere in the NBA, only to be cut after your rookie contract expires, but you will have forfeited forever the opportunity to play your senior year and improve your game, which needs A LOT of improvement. STAY IN SCHOOL!

Never make it in NBA at this point. Can`t make a free throw,no quickness.

Can't understand how he can stock up when he shows his resume his scoring and rebounding average against those top 10 schools. What was his average during the whole season and his three years. If he goes like John Walsh (byu qb) when he left after his Junior year and he didn't get the NFL draft.
Don't worry, he'll be back when he finds out.

Once Trent can hit a 12 foot jumper consistently and 65% of his free throws..then he MIGHT have a shot at sticking in the NBA. Otherwise he'll have to start checking ticket prices for airfare to Europe.

Trent is a big fish in the MWC (Mostly Weak Conference)and he could use another year to develop another move or 2. If he gained a little toughness and found away to bring intensity consistently he would improve his stock. How will he be without Lee Cummard?

Trent is taking his left handed, over the shoulder from behind the ear shot to the next level? Great!! What else is he taking? Not a right hand, nor a FT shot, nor a midrange game of any kind. He'll do nothing in the NBA. But at least he's soft. Bradley, Rafa, Trent. That is a huge downward slide for BYU's NBA products.

Trent needs to focus on improving his overall (free throws, offensive paint and big man D) game and polish his skills so he doesn't have to think about everything he does, need to be unconscious and play the game. This whole draft thing is just a self-agrandizing distraction he really can't afford.
If Trent will develop his automatic skills he could do very well in the NBA but going or even thinking about going now, if only to "test the waters," will result in missed opportunity this spring and summer with his team and especially individually.
Trent could be a great one at BYU and even NBA if he'd toughen up, be more dedicated to self-improvement and team play.

Most of these commentors did not read Dick Harmon's story. This step is a no brainer. Good move by Trent. Key points.

By not signing with an agent, the door is wide open to return.

He can now and will most likely be invited to pre-draft camps where he can evaluate his status against other prospects. At worst he will see where he needs to improve and use that information to prepare for his senior year in college.

Without declaring he could not attend the camps.

He is on schedule to actually graduate from college with a degree in economics. A great feat among the majority of college athletes today.

Unless Trent explodes at one of these camps or in front of one of these teams, there is no way he is NBA ready. I think he knows that and is doing the smart thing by at least taking this as an opportunity to play with some of the best and get some valuable feedback to improve his game. I am no scout but it seems obviouse he has NBA athleticism but needs to develop a jump shot (turnaround and straight up), and needs to learn to put the ball on the floor and make a move. He really only is effective on the break, on put backs, or with his awkward from-the-hip hook shot move praying he isn't sent to the line. However, he truly has great athleticism for a big man and could fit in as a role player primarily used for boards and running the floor. I personally think he will return and will have gained some very valuable insight and experience that may translate into improved offense and a first round slot next year. One thing that is for sure - we are a third place team next season without him and the champ with him.

Are you kidding me, he cannot play in the NBA, he is inconsistent and not overpowering at all. He is not even the best player on the BYU team. Nice try Trent, but even if you stayed for another year you will never play in the NBA.

Go Trent Go! Enjoy the NBADL. Maybe we'll see you on the Flash.

a player is an idiot!

Trent will not make the NBA even after another year at BYU. He has no heart.

And yes, I AM a BYU fan.

Trent could catch the eye of an overseas team through this process and get a multi-year offer. I'm not sure I wouldn't jump on that if I were him. He has basically earned his degree and would probably have to have a 20-10 season while upping his free throws to over 70% to move into the first round next year anyway. And Cummard, Jimmer, and TJ will be taking their share of shots. So why not make some good money while he can, enjoy another country and still possibly catch an NBA team's eye if he can develop a few more offensive moves? I'm not sure Cummard couldn't make an NBA team right now over Plaisted. That kid has game and could probably be a backup utility type do-it-all scrapper on a number of teams.

He is doing a good thing. He gets to compete with other draft hopefuls and get noticed by top scouts. If he doesn't return to BYU next year than he will have made a big mistake.