Dick,
Travis was an NBA second rounder, no one projects either Cougar of being picked in the 1st or 2nd round. This is what you based your argument on. I would agree if Trent or Daniel were looking at the potential of being picked, but they aren't and won't therefore your point has yet to be made. Travis gets the deal he got because he played in the NBA, he's open on that.
The 2008 draft will be the deepest in history, there are a huge number of physical types identical to Trent's body size. Cummard is a tweener, who could be drafted as a shooting guard or small forward. He might be in better shape to play pro BB on that basis. Agents are salesmen, they say anything to line up a client. You failed to mention Shawn Bradley, who was told, by the agent's that he was ready after 1 year of college ball, and two years of sitting out. We know what a joke, the "stickman" was once in an NBA uniform. He got money TRUE, but every NBA fan uses SB as an example of a colossal failed draft pick.

Let's call this what it is: Cummard and Plaisted are merely marketing themselves. This is a smart business decision if they want to play professionally. Get in front of some scouts, see your name pop up on some mock drafts, and draw interest from NBA and European teams. Then go back to BYU with a bigger spotlight on you than you would have had otherwise. This is just a smart business decision. Why play in quiet gyms in Provo during the summer when you can get a jump on marketing yourself with the NBA scouts?

Remember Morris Almond caught the Jazz interest when he worked out at camps after he declared following his junior season. A conversation with Kevin O'Connor pushed Almond back to school for another year of polishing. But the previous summer's work got the attention of the Jazz who drafted him in the first round a year later.

Brilliant marketing, big payoff.

So what is this? If nothing else, it's an internship.

Even though Plaisted and Cummard have only two chances in the NBA, slim and none, improving their game in college still seems to be a better option, foreign leagues limit how much they can play and that option will always be there. BYU needs to keep playing top teams so when they get to the NCAA tourney they are not like deer in headlights. Learn from Shawn Bradley's mistake, stay in school, keep improving and the money will come eventually. The NCAA needs to somehow "give back" some of those billions to the athletes who make them all that money.

Family first, team second. This is a great move financially since Lee can come back and finish his degree any time, but this opportunity may pass.

Obviously a good move, esp. with the NBA paying for travel and expenses. Nothing to lose, (barring injury, which could happen playing with the missionaryies on P day) and much name recognition to gain. He will find out quickly how he stacks up and be a better player for it.

Neither player has what it takes to play pro in America. But egos must be egos.

I don't understand it at all.

Almost EVERYTHING we do is a bit of a risk or gamble - including the fact that we may waste too much time playing basketball when there are other things in life that we should be doing for people.

If you DO decide to dedicate so much time to sports, you should at least recognize value in areas of your efforts that could benefit people/things that are real and important - and not just your own personal desires.

Sure, Plaisted and Cummard are attributed for the success of BYU the last three years and many have claimed it is because they really didn't serve full time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Travis Hansens from BYU proved themselves as Seniors and did serve missions. The big challenge has been balancing out the BYU team with returned missionaries or those going after their Freshman or Sophomore seasons. Now Coach Rose must have the handicap of the missionary system coupled with the threat of those worthy LDS players who don't serve threatening to leave the program as underclassmen hoping to make a buck as a pro. Rose has a catch 22 and puts on the positive spin of having players eligible as underclassmen for the NBA draft because as a recruiter you always want to be able to show the successful pedigree of BYU alumni who have or who are playing professional basketball. "If you make it at BYU you." You can make it anywhere.

The fact is, the real value of these players will come when they beat UNLV on their home court for the MWC Tournament and make a splash in the NCAA's.

It would appear that neither of these two young men are intereted in graduation or a college education. Are they really going to school or just taking filler classes to stay eligible? If money is the long term goal then they should move on, the sooner the better. I wonder what they will do when the glory wears off. Of well, they will have enough money so that an education is not important. Great example for young kids.

What a surprise. A pair of overly arrogant BYU players. Keep on smokin and dreamin boys.

It is a mistake for Cummard and Plaisted, et al to declare for the draft. I don't thing either of them are ready for the professional level, certainly not the NBA. If they play in the international minor leagues so be it. But it is not fair to the university or themselves. They need to think longterm, and obtain their degrees. You are wrong Harmon. There isn't anyone in the MWC who can have a shot to be on an NBA roster....none, nada. What is happening at UCLA is also ridiculous....half the team is testing the waters....but some of the players are legit, as opposed to the Cougar players....they have no shot.

no harm no foul for checking into the NBA stock profile and see where one stands. i do believe both boys will be back for their senior seasons and like JC Carroll will have marvelous NBA-stock increasing seasons...

The other players mentioned, young, hansen, bigelow, all stayed in school through their senior year and then entered the draft. Education is supposed to be put higher than money, sure money is nice and I wish I had more, but it does not bring true happiness in this life. These two idiots do not stand a chance in the NBA, both are very inconsistent and do not have the physical play you need in the NBA. Bad Move!

I have a quick comment for Non-believer.

Plaisted redshirted his first year at BYU and has since played three. He graduated earlier this week. He could get a master's degree if he stays another year, but he did something that a lot of BYU students are not able to do: graduate in 4 calendar years. I believe Cummard is less that a year away from graduating. He could spend two summers at BYU and be done. Both are excellent examples to young men.

Smart move for these two good players and great young men. It probasbly won't work out, but good hunting. Thanks for the years you gave us. You humbled the truly arrogant U and it was fun to watch.

You have got to be kidding me, NEITHER OF THESE GUYS are ready for the NBA! They will end up in the "Developmental League" or playing in Europe or elsewhere. They need to "Develope" more, and they are both making HUGE mistakes by declaring for the draft. So much for school loyalty! It's all about the "ALL MIGHTY" right, even at BYU, only with the Athletes His Last Name is "BUCK"! They should take a lesson from Former Football BYU Great "Luke Staley" who came out early... Drafted By The LIONS... BUST!!! Learn from the mistakes of others, that's why you have scriptures and attend BYU so you supposedly know these things better than others. These guys are making a HUGE MISTAKE, and if they are not back at BYU next year, you will hear about them on "Sportsbeat" playing for Athens, or Turkey, or Paris, or some Nobody team earning $0.75 a week with room and board paid, SOME CAREER!

Who's next to declare - Cosmo? For a team that hasn't won an NCAA tournament game since TV was invented, they must think they are pretty special.

I guess if all these guys want is money for their families, they can try their game overseas. However, neither of these guys are even remotely in the same areacode compared to Tyler Hansborough--who is actually smart, staying at UNC for his senior season. These guys are not ready for the NBA. Seriously, if Plaisted and Cummard were even remotely ready for the NBA, they wouldn't have utterly disappeared in games toward the end of the season, and they would have had no trouble beating a weak Texas A&M team. Plaisted can't move his feet fast enough to guard my grandma, let alone any of the quick big men in the NBA. These guys need a good hard dose of reality--They aren't NBA material.

Hey, One question for Plaisted, "How are you going to gaurd anyone in the NBA when you can't move your feet fast enough in college?" What a joke. Stay in college, enjoy your senior season, and get a decent job after graduation--maybe Cummard and Plaisted(Plastered--as he should be named because he acts as if he is drunk--declaring for the NBA)can play for Athletes In Action and tour around the country playing exhibitions against future BYU teams and lose. What a future. Does Bryon Ruffner come to mind?

Lee and Trent will have ample opportunity throughout the remainder of their lives to achieve the money and fame of the world. They have but a limited time to carry the banner and mission of B.Y.U. to the nation and world. While they have this singular opportunity they should reject the lure of riches and fame and submit themselves to the refiners fire.

Man, sure is a lot of negativity posted here by some commentors. These are probably the same people who also try to shoot down the hopes and dreams of others who want to go into business for themselves or attempt some other difficult but worthwhile venture.

Let's see, Andre Kirilenko won't succeed as an NBA player because he's too skinny. Jeff Hornacek wasn't successful in the NBA because of his bad knees. And somebody better tell Dax Crum he can't play basketball or any other sport where the athletes traditionally have both of their hands.

Plaisted and Cummard are both quick and athletic. Who know's how this will turn out? They should give it a try.

So to all the naysayers posting here, try to get over yourselves and your "superior" knowledge of what can and can't be done. And don't mistake your small-mindedness for be "realistic".

It's hard being on the cusp. Not obvious first rounders but not schnooks either. Most fans would like to see them return, but we all have to make decisions and having the most information we can get is important and that's what they should do.

I for one think they should stay. That final year of seasoning could put them into games where they would be playing the best out there...I'd like to see what they can do at the top of their collegiate game.

Do I think they're going to get drafted? No. I don't think either will ever play in the NBA. But I'm increasingly irritated by the negative comments by those who hide behind their computer screens on these boards and point fingers at those in the public eye. Easy to tell someone how to live their life from the armchair.

I can't believe I'm about to defend the position of zoobie players to their zoobie fans... but here I go. There's a lot of people here saying that this move is not smart at all. I ask you this: Why? What is the downside of this move? I'll give you a hint: it starts with "N" and rhymes with "one". Yes, there is no downside to this move. I'll pretty much guarantee that neither one of these players think they're going to get drafted. All they're doing right now is trying to get their name out there so that professional scouts have their names on their roster, and have more experience. This way they will predictably withdraw their name, play a senior season, and throughout next year, more scouts will know about them, and more scouts will be checking up on them. It actually IS a smart move, but I guess it's true what they say... zoobies don't know sports.

Same thing will happen here if they hire an agent.

You are right, I understand that, but we (The Cougar True Blue) feel betrayed, about this potential draft status. In our minds declaring for the "draft" is abandoning the "Y" and looking after your own best interests, but then again with the "Great MTN" TV Network, do they have a choice? They need to capture the attention of scouts in any way they can or be OVERLOOKED by the scouts in their little Protective TV NETWORK BUBBLE of the Mountain where nobody including most of their own fans can see their games. You are right my friend, when I am wrong, I say I am, and in this case, I am wrong. Hey guys, just don't sign an agent! Thanks, for the wake up call, CougarKeith

Just continuing a long streak of BYU players who are not NBA players. Only the UTES create players to play in the NBA in this state.

I don't blame them at all for declaring themselves eligible. If i could get a free trip to Miami and play in front of a bunch of NBA scouts I think i'd give it a shot too. There is nothing to lose, except a possible injury but you're just as likely to get injured practicing in Provo. Oh and Trent is an econ major. If he were just interested in graduating and getting on with a life in pro basketball he wouldn't have picked that major!

Seems to me there are a lot of people here who feel that these two young men are good enough to be the saviors of the Cougars next season and finally get them past that mysterious first tourny game but do not feel they are good enough to play for any professional team that will anti up more than working at KFC. Like they adamantly believe these guys will never come close to any NBA team but are so good that the team will not be successful without them.

I believe Coach Rose almost has the pieces in place to replace them in a year anyways so this will just speed up the proces and make the year after the rebuilding year. Thats part of the magic of college BBall is basically replacing your whole roster every 3-5 years.

Annonymous 4/26 @ 10:25pm: "...we (The Cougar True Blue) feel betrayed, about this potential draft status. In our minds declaring for the "draft" is abandoning the "Y" and looking after your own best interests..."

A lot of BYU fans have a sense of entitlement. The above post is a good example. These players don't have a chance of getting drafted and playing in The League, but it's interesting reading the comments of bitter cougar fans who don't live in the real world.

Welcome to D1 college sports today... the schools make so much money on the players... sure the players get a chance to get a degree but that's hardly fair with the economics of today's big time college sports. These players don't owe BYU anything. Of course they're gonna look after their own best interest. They're good enough to make it in the NBA, but you can hardly criticize them for doing what they think is best for themselves.

Excuse me, I meant "NOT good enough to make it in the NBA"

Cummard is every bit as good as some of the bench warmers in the NBA. I think it is a good idea to commit without an agent. I also expect both to be back next year unless an over seas opportunity arises. You who criticize taking the money rather than finishing school are interesting. If you had the skiill and could you probably would to. Trent has graduated, Lee is close and easily could in the future. I support both of them. It is there life and their choice.

First all - "True Blue Cougar Fans" don't feel betrayed by good players declaring for the draft to wether it is to test the waters or to continue on. Only immature, cry baby fans feel betrayed (blue or red).

Second - to all you naysayers about Trent, do some research and read all the scouting reports before you make immature, uniformed comments about their ability to play. Trent has already been listed as a late first rounder, early second rounder on almost every scouting report out there (including being ranked as a top 30 pick on ESPN).

Before you all think you know what's up, I would hide your colors and do some research. As for Lee, only thing he has against him is he was a late bloomer for the nation, and scouts are just starting to get to know them.

That said, either one has just as good as shot at making it in the NBA as any other player who declares. It is a 50/50 chance they'll make it, and only time will tell.

I do hope they stay just to shut up the Utes again, but God bless if they don't!

What about graduation? Only important if you're not an athlete?

Are you kidding me? These guys stink. 95% of the NBA players would eat these guys for an afternoon snack. It's pathetic.

It all depends on your view of standards of living. A husband is responsible for providing for his family, but I have never heard any teaching at church that men are expected to provide their families with the most comfortable standard of living possible. Seeking wealth for the sake of having a comfortable lifestyle is inherently unhealthy. Seeking wealth to live a modest lifestyle while uising the excess to promote worthy causes and help others is doctrinaly sound. Thus when Harmon writes that someone like Cummard, with a child, would be perfectly justified in jumping to the pro ranks to support his family and provide a quality standard of living, I take issue with that premise. Plenty of families have raised solid children on modest incomes, so a standard of living depends entirely on what your expectations are. Rich, comfortable men playing pro ball in Europe or the USA do not automatically provide a better standard of living than a struggling married PhD student who wants to be a teacher. The lure of education should outweigh the lure of money. After all, you can only take one of the two with you in the end.

DON'T WORRY, NEITHER ONE OF THEM ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO EVEN MAKE THE NBA. THIS INCLUDES NEXT YEAR AFTER THE BASKETBALL SEASON.

It cracks me up when people are hammering these two about education and graduation. We go to college to get training to get a good job. If you can get a good job without graduating, what's the difference. Trent has already graduated. If he doesn't make it in the NBA or overseas, he'll have that to fall back on. If Lee makes it in the NBA, he'll have the money to go back and get his degree. I doubt he'll stay in the draft if he's not projected hight enough to earn some money.

These guys together will log as many NBA minutes as I will -- as my 5 year old daughter will and as many as my mom did.

The real issue that all of these fans have is that they are worried that with Plaisted and Cummard leaving early, so goes next season for the bball team. If they both leave, BYU will probably be a middle of the conference team in the rebuilding stage and unable to enjoy a third straight MWC title. The thought of Utah taking it back just kills them. Watch and see in football too. If this next year is as good as everyone is projecting it to be, then Max Hall, Unga, and Collie will say Adios...along with Bronco Mendenhall. That would leave the football team in a rebuilding mode and middle of the pack team just like they were in the late 90's and through the middle of 2000's. selfish??

Everyone here is talking about life and preparing for the future... why are you spending so much time posting. Go do something worthwhile with your own lives instead of giving useless advice to a newspaper, and let them get on with theirs.

Good luck to Lee and Trent. It was great to watch them play while they were here.

It's obvious the vast majority of you have NO idea what you're talking about -- and yet you feel qualified to post inane comments.

First, Trent already has a degree, so that shoots about half the comments right there ("is money more important than a degree?"). Lee's close enough to finish in two summers.

Second, neither have hired an agent. This means that they get to participate in all the pre-draft camps and evaluations and get actual information from the NBA on their prospects as opposed to the sales pitches they're currently getting from agents.

Third, neither of them is "letting down" Cougar fans. Who are you, Roger Reid?? They're both doing what you are all apparently incapable of -- the smart thing!!

I hope both get drafted and leave the Y for greener pastures. Now with ace recruiter Dave Rice and all of his California connections, maybe he can recruit some blue chippers from that state. It is ridiculous that the Y can not recruit more players from California relying mainly on local players. Maybae the solution would be to recruit more Polynesians from Timpview who can play basketball.

Does anyone have any new comment for this story? The same old same old bashing and they're not good enough comments are very old.