A Quick Look at Players Returning to School Early On

There are some players who have already stated they are returning to their respective university before the Sweet 16 tips off. These players should all benefit for another year of tutelage and experience of playing college ball. Every year there are surprise decisions which are both positive and negative based on a player's readiness to perform at the next level. Last year Oklahoma State Marcus Smart was criticized for not remaining in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Wayne Selden Jr. - Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas Jayhawks' freshman shooting guard Wayne Selden Jr. started the year as a potential late lottery pick. Selden had his ups and downs during the season but clearly under performed his expectations. Now Selden's stock has him on the fringe of the first round. Selden's problems were partially due to the strong play of two teammates Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid. Wiggins and Embiid will most likely be drafted in the top 5 or higher and will battle it out for the honor of being the no. 1 overall draft pick. Selden should take over next season as Kansas' primary scoring option . Selden already has an NBA-ready body and is a strong physical wing who can get to the rim and the charity stripe. Selden must improve his perimeter shooting . On the defensive end, Selden must be more aggressive and assertive. This is the right decision for Selden as he will improve his draft stock with another year of seasoning under coach Bill Self.

Marcus Paige - North Carolina Tar Heels

UNC sophomore guard Marcus Paige guided his team to the NCAA Tournament while leading the Tar Heels in scoring. Paige's sophomore campaign was much improved upon his freshman season at UNC. Paige is more of a scoring guard then a floor general which is problematic due to his small stature. Paige is listed at 6 feet while only weighing 157 lbs. Paige must improve his playmaking skills and his 3-point shot to improve his chances at the next level. With these improvements next season, he should be able to crack the first round of the draft instead of being taken in the 2nd or even going undrafted. Paige has definitely made the right decision to return to Chapel Hill for his junior season.

Dario Saric - Croatia

Dario Saric, one of the best international prospects in this year's draft class pulled out of last year's draft. Sources say Saric will do the same thing year. He is thought to have an offer overseas that will pay him millions over the next few seasons. An NBA team would have to pay Saric's team a high buyout in order to bring him to the states if he should declare for the draft. NBA team's do not doubt his skills, they doubt his eagerness to even want to play in the best league in the world. Saric was projected to be a lottery pick, but his lack of desire to play in the NBA will certainly drop him down team's draft boards if he should even declare for the draft. He is a very skilled wing with outstanding size for his position (6'10" 223lbs). Saric plays with great court vision and is a highly skilled ball handler . His weaknesses' are definitely his jump shot and lack of strength. Whenver Saric makes the decision to make the jump to the NBA, there will be many team's salivating and willing to pull the trigger and draft Saric in the first round.

By Steven Spector -3-26-14