Dakich was asked about Gophers forwards Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams, two players who have created speculation about leaving school early to play in the NBA. Mbakwe, a junior, is averaging 13 points and 10.3 rebounds (tied with Sullinger for best in the Big Ten). Williams, a sophomore, has minimal numbers for a starter, 6.4 points per game and 3.3 rebounds while making .152 percent of his three point attempts and .469 of his free throws.
“Mbakwe, he’s produced,” Dakich said. “He’s had a good year. My guess is he would have to take the advice of the NBA advisory committee and go from there (about leaving school early). But I would think both of them…need a little more time.”
Dakich said there’s “no guesswork” in whether a player is going to be drafted because of the NBA advisory committee that will tell him what his projected status is. Mbawke could use a more “polished” inside scoring game, Dakich said, and he declined to predict whether Mbakwe could be drafted in the first round, not knowing how many quality European players will be available along with American players.
Dakich said years ago he heard that no player who averaged “15 points and 10 rebounds” in college didn’t play in the NBA. That might give encouragement to Mbakwe who struggles with field goal and free throw shooting.
At first Dakich said “no chance” on Williams being taken on one of the NBA’s two draft rounds. Then he softened that opinion and said: “But I would have a hard time based on simple production that Williams would be a guy. Now I do know this, that NBA people think he’s the best athlete in the Big Ten.”
Dakich cautioned about the need for Williams to seek out the best advice on turning professional early and giving up his college eligibility. “In my opinion it will be very important for Williams to listen to the right people,” he said. “…As opposed to just saying, hey, some guy (said)…that I am ‘the best athlete’ and I am going to be a ‘lottery pick.’ You better be careful with all that.”