Adou Thiero is a major prospect in this year’s draft and has played as a forward for the Arkansas Razorbacks, following head coach John Calipari from Kentucky. Thiero declared for the draft following an unfortunate injury that ended his season two weeks before the end of the regular season.
The draft doesn’t take place until June 25, but the deadline for withdrawal is May 28. The last few days have seen murmurs about whether Thiero will follow through with the draft or return to Arkansas. He also didn’t give a definitive answer when he was asked this very question.
CBB Insider Believes Potential NBA Earnings Closes the Door on a Return to Arkansas
At the draft combine, Thiero was asked about his Arkansas future and he replied, “The door’s not completely shut but we should know more this week. For me, the door is kinda closed, but my circle around, they want to hear more great things to finally shut that door.”
This statement gave some fans a glimmer of hope that he might be returning for one more year but CBB Insider Aaron Torres believes Thiero has no reason to return to Arkansas.
“I would put it at less than 5% maybe less than 3% if adou Thiero returns to Arkansas” Torres said on his YouTube channel.
Thiero believes players return to college for three reasons.”They’re not going to get drafted where they want to get drafted, they can develop more in college basketball and improve their draft stock, they are not NBA level and the most money they’ll ever make is in college.”
“Adou Thiero doesn’t fit any of those buckets” Torres continued. “If it clicks in the NBA… he’s not like a PJ Haggerty who probably will make the most money ever playing basketball in college right? Adou Thiero, if things go well could make nine figures, could make over a hundred million dollars playing basketball over the next decade.”
Torres believes going back to Arkansas could hurt the 21-year-old’s draft stocks. Thiero was widely viewed as a consensus first-round pick prior to hyperextending his knee against Missouri on Feb. 22. He did return during the tournament run but he missed eight games due to injury.
KEEP READING: Adou Thiero NBA Draft Projections: 5 Potential Landing Spots for the Arkansas Forward
If his medicals come correct, he might still make it into the first round. As things stand, he’s more likely to stay in the draft than return to Arkansas. The Razorbacks fans would have to move on and look towards next season without Thiero.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
