dnapolit

I was watching Blakely highlights this weekend and stumbled upon his NBDL All-Star Game highlights from February. He scored over twenty points in that All-Star game. He's put up the types of numbers that should warrant a shot in the NBA but as many have pointed his size and skill set just don't match up to NBA standards. His athleticism is beyond reproach but at only 6'5 he just don't fit the profile of an NBA small forward. Unfortunately he hasn't demonstrated that he has the skills to play guard in the NBA. I really hope he gets his shot but either way he will make good money playing ball for many years. He's also as durable as they come. He was never injured at Vermont and I don't think he's been injured professionally either.

UVM Hoop Cat

This nails it.

If Blakely doesn't really show perimeter skills- ability to hit outside shot consistently and ball-handling as well as increased foot speed to guard 2s and 3s in the NBA- then he's simply an incredibly athletic, talented player that is sadly position-less for the NBA.

That being said, he will make quite a bit of money over his pro career and do very well Internationally either way, whether it's Europe or Asia. He's one of those guys that is just at the cusp of being an NBA player, and does very exciting things on both ends of the court that clubs will pay a premium for.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

c00per

I have a 'Marqus Blakely' Google alert too. Can anybody confirm that his jump shot has not improved? I didn't get to see much of his BMEG play, but the highlight reel looked an awful lot like his Vermont reel. Many monstrous dunks.

Vermonster

If I'm not mistaken he was draining 3s in that All Star Game.

dnapolit

The highlights showed one three and seven dunks. At that point he had twenty points so throw one more three in there and that makes two made threes. Primarily Marqus still gets his points in the paint off of tip-ins, fast breaks, and screen and rolls. I do think his shot has improved but probably not enough for the NBA. In addition he hasn't shown the willingness/ability to guard effectively on the perimeter. Which is disappointing given his wingspan and athleticism. I hate to be a critic of Marqus because I feel so fortunate I was able to watch him live for four years in Burlington but I just don't know if he will ever crack the barrier given his weaknesses.

UVM Hoop Cat

Nothing confirmed but per his Twitter, looks like Marqus might be headed to the Dominican Republic to play ball.

No idea if it's a short-term thing like Manila, long-term, what league, team, contract, etc.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

UVM Hoop Cat

The Clippers went and signed Matt Barnes- have to think that closes window on Blakely making their roster, unless they would want him over the two rookies they had from Georgia last year.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

Stuntman Rod Kimble

Looks like it was, but now isn't happening? If true wonder what team it is.

http://twitter.com/SportingVermont/s...90344952147968

That's from a few days ago, and this was yesterday.

http://twitter.com/SportingVermont/s...99092457148417

UVM Hoop Cat

Very cool news. Reading his Twitter looks like Marqus is going back to Training Camp with the Clippers. LAC has a 15 man roster right now and it would look like Marqus competition would be both Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins. Looks like a long shot for him to break camp with the Clippers this time around- as the Clips are significantly better than last time Marqus was with them- but hopefully he could play well enough to get picked up by another team.

Either way, nice to see him back in camp giving it a go.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

UVM Hoop Cat

Looks like Trey Thompkins' contract is guaranteed this season.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/los-angele...s-team-salary/

So...Blakely vs Leslie or Blakely vs Vacant Roster Spot if Clips only go with 14. I suppose hypothetically Thompkins could still be waived and paid, but Clippers are a notoriously cheap franchise so that's doubtful.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

source67

Los Angeles Clippers are signing Marqus Blakely for the upcoming season, a source told Sportando.
http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/nba...s-blakely.html

UVM Hoop Cat

Hmmmmm, are they signing him to a non-guaranteed, 3 year deal that is effectively a training camp invite and then he can be waived like any other training camp invitee w/out a spot or are they *actually* signing him signing him to a guaranteed deal for the season?

I got burned last time I thought Marqus had legit made their roster- this sounds excellent but I need to see something a bit more official.

That all being said, this certainly sounds awesome.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

UVM Hoop Cat

I never thought I'd be returning to Clippers Top Buzz, but 3 years later I'm back. Here's the Clippers board for all Marqus/UVM fans:

http://clippers.topbuzz.com/PNphpBB2...ic-t-9877.html

Some of the posters are pretty funny.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

UVM Hoop Cat

Yep:

"Along with Courtney Fortson, he's also a non-guaranteed contract".

So in other words he's been invited to training camp to compete for the 15th spot.

Kinda misleading by Sportando, unless verbatim it's true.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005

UVM Hoop Cat

This link which references Sportando has more details:

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2012/09/c...s-blakely.html

Says Clippers actually have 15 guaranteed contracts already, not 14. Don't know which it is officially because I've also seen 14.

15 guaranteed contracts already means Marqus would have to absolutely kill it in training camp, or impress enough he'd get picked up by someone else.

__________________
"Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here"
- Hoosiers,
& UVM mens basketball NCAA's 2005