I have been dreading this news ever since the end of that UNC game. I really feel like the 2 of them can only benefit (and benefit greatly) from returning for their senior seasons. With USC being put on the national stage due to the arrival of Mayo, these boys have a chance to put themselves out there for everyone to see! And we know for a fact that they can both play...should they choose to leave, I wish them the best in their future endeavors. Trojans for life: "Noodles" Nick Young and "Smilin" Gabe Pruitt

Don't "dread" the news, dude. They're grown men who can decide for themselves. Of course it's a stupid move for each of them, but what do they say about horses? You can lead them to water but can't make 'em drink? The Trojan program will be fine.

Too early to worry.

Basketball is so different than football. No agent selected, then the athlete retains NCAA eligibility. Also the NBA provides a lot of assistance to really analyze a players potential draft stock.

I will be interested to hear how the guys project out and then see what they opt to do from there.

I was also dreading hearing this news. I thought that we'd likely lose Nick, but Gabe, with his injuries and ineligibility, hasn't really had a good opportunity to showcase himself. That opportunity will come next season when defenses are keying on OJ Mayo. If he wants a chance to possibly be a first-rounder, after next season may be the time.

I have really loved watching Noodles develop at USC into an unbelievable basketball player, and think he should definitely move on to the next level. He has nothing left to prove in college and his touches would probably decrease with the addition of Mayo.

And Smiley is a great player with a deadly shot, but I don’t see him as a first round draft choice...yet. I think Pruitt would benefit greatly by playing one more year at USC with Mayo (and could move back to his true position at shooting guard). Mayo and Pruitt would definitely compliment each others games.

Both Nick and Gabe have been instrumental in turning around USC’s B-Ball program, and I wish the two of them the best of luck no matter where they are playing next year!

How can Gabe think about going? He wasn't even the best Pac10 guard last year. I'd pick Collison first then Pruitt. Collison is 1st round material, Gabe is 2nd round.

I agree that they will lose touches next year. They will no longer be the headliners either. They'd be better if they stayed a year, but would be seen as a second option and drafted as such.

Best of luck to the boys. Fight On in the NBA!

Nick HAS to go pro.

He's a consensus top 20 pick. That will just attract more kids to 'SC cause they can go NBA. It's selfish for me to want him to come back.

Now, Pruitt. That guy should really come back and improve his stock. Not selfish, but good for him and for our team.

I think Pruitt is seriously considering jumping to the NBA because of his academic struggles last year. It won't help him to come back for his Senior year if he spends it riding the pine because of grades.

I don't know if Mayo can replace the scoring output of Young, Pruitt, and Stewart. There were many games where they scored 80%+ of the points. Losing 2 of the 3 would have been manageable but losing all 3 in one year will be a big blow to an SC basketball program that was just starting to get some momentum.

Looks like Brandon Jennings is opening up his recruitment and isn't a solid SC commit for the 2008 class. Amazing how quickly things can change in college hoops. Just a few weeks ago SC looked poised to join the elite programs in country. Now there are a lot of question marks.

CalPolyBruinFan- do you spend as much time on the bruin blogs? are you a fan of SC sports?
just trying to figure you out. thanks for the reply.

Pablo,

I spend much more of my time on UCLA blogs and message forums. I like Scott's blog because he doesn't screen comments (like Dohn does) and he actually posts quite a bit about both schools.

I wouldn't say I am a "fan" of USC but I do follow the USC football and basketball teams closely. I consider it "knowing your enemy" if you know what I mean.

thanks cpbf - that's a little crazy for me but it's your time.

btw.. i think pruitt will be a better pro than afflalo. better shooter = better nba player. and they both play great d.

CalPoly coming in with another nice post...you are on a roll!

Same here. I actually like Scott's blog because he updates it frequently and actually lets people post comments. Dohn is too slow and barely updates... Censorship to the max

hahah...that's a great question Pablo. CalPolyBruin is on here more than anyone else. Maybe he is a closet Trojan fan...

Anyway, I don't know as much about roundball as football but he is a great player and it would be nice if he hung around to play with OJ. But you gotta do what you gotta do I guess..

Well CalPoly, you are right. That is nice of Scott to allow anyone to post on here. UCLA or USC or whom ever fan.

It's too bad we don't get the same opportunity on UCLA football sites. One post about USC and you are banned..

I guess that shows who is the bigger man :o))

Talking to George Pruitt throughout the season leads me to believe Gabe will be back. He wants to see how he'd do, for which I can't blame him. I don't think OJ will detract from him. I also don't think academics will be an issue again--he learned his lesson (pardon the pun). Young, I think, should go. He can't get too much better at USC, and is ready to make the progression in the pros. Pruitt would benefit from another year as a bigtime headliner, playing a complete season, and perhaps establishing himself as the Pac-10's premier point player. I think if Pruitt were to go, Jennings would be more likely to recommit to USC. I think he's psyched out by Daniel Hackett, who I personally find a better fit as a defensive/clutch guard than controlling the offense with so many touches the way Pruitt does.

--ashleyatusc