.JPG)
NCAA Basketball Tournament
State semi: Alter vs. Miami Trace
Women of Influence Luncheon
UD MEN'S BASKETBALL
Wright says he's not planning to transfer
Sophomore forward happy to be Flyer, saying 'the player makes the name on the jersey.'
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
DAYTON — Chris Wright's future has been a hot topic on message boards as UD fans work themselves into a tizzy over whether he might transfer to a more prestigious program to enhance his NBA chances.
The Dayton sophomore forward has a Facebook account, and that question often gets posed. But he considers the speculation so ludicrous that he doesn't even respond.
"This is a great program to be in," he said. "Why go to another school when you have the same things here? You can go to Dayton, you can go to Duke, you can go to North Carolina, and if you can play, they'll find you.
"There was a lot of peer pressure in high school. People brought up all the names: 'You should go to Duke or North Carolina. You should go to Texas or Michigan State.' They don't understand. Those are great programs, but the player makes the name on the jersey, the name on the jersey doesn't make the player."
When he bumps into fans around town, Wright said he gets asked whether he's contemplating an early departure for the pros. And while he hasn't ruled out exploring that option after the season, he insists he's consumed only with helping the 20-2 Flyers build on their success.
"The NBA is something, of course, you dream about growing up and even now, but as far as me focusing on the NBA, that's too far up the road to even be thinking about," he said. "I'm just trying to get better every day and help the team get better every day."
UD coach Brian Gregory has dealt with numerous future pros as an assistant at Michigan State and believes Wright has NBA potential.
"I think one day he's going to be playing in that league," Gregory said. "He's a talented enough player and has all the intangibles they're looking for. I don't think there's any question about that. It's not if, it's when."
Wright leads the Flyers in scoring with a 12.9 average and rebounds at 6.9 per game, but he's also first in turnovers with 46, suggesting his game might need some polish before the NBA considers him a legitimate prospect.
"He can jump and he's a good athlete, but he needs to refine his skills," said one NBA scout, who requested anonymity. "The best thing for him to do would be to stay in school, work on his game, graduate and then go. If he goes now, he's looking at playing overseas or the D League (the NBA Developmental League)."
Wright's stats
12.9 points per game
6.9 rebounds per game
49 percent shooting from field
69 percent from free-throw line
46 turnovers
24 assists
Today's game
Who: Dayton (20-2, 6-1 A-10) at La Salle (12-8, 3-3)
When: 7 p.m.
Radio: WHIO-AM (1290), WHIO-FM (95.7)
TV: None
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By jason
February 6, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
you guys need to keep your opions to your self because the secdules are set two years in advance and no one wants to come in here and loose to us not a big ranked team like unc or duke so be quiet and go FLYERS P.S. chris is staying anyway he needs at least one or two more years for his game to come through. x stinks
By Rich
February 6, 2009 6:41 AM | Link to this
Unless the rules have changed, if Wright transfers to another school, he sits out a year. A transfer following his sophomore year makes absolutely no sense. He’ll lose a year, have to make some adjustments to a new team/system, and spend the first half of the season getting used to playing against eal competition (not so easy—think Sandoval who transferred from Richmond to Dayton).
Perhaps a good follow-up article would be “Whatever happened to Trent Meachem?….”
By thepummeler
February 6, 2009 12:50 AM | Link to this
Hasn’t everybody noticed the decline in quality sports journalism by the DDN? And, it don’t get no better’n this!! But, it’ll get worse, look at the participants
By ryan
February 4, 2009 8:57 PM | Link to this
Why lead with is on a game day for a 20-2 team?
By Greg E
February 4, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this
uncoolio, Who saw Paxson in 1978 when ESPN didn’t exist? Go back a little further, whosaw Johnny Davis, enough to take him as an underclassman? Your argument has more holes than a spaghetti strainer.
By Chris
February 4, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this
RPI rank? You mean #33?
Stan, in RPI, lower is better. Kind of like golf.
By uncoolio
February 4, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
Gregg. Its not the school—its the schedule. ITS THIS SCHEDULE! Look at the schedule when Paxson played.
By Greg E
February 4, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this
What a ridiculous statement to say that Chris Wright may have hurt his chances for the NBA by going to Dayton. Can you say…..Jim Paxson? Ask Delonte West and Jameer Nelson if it is neccessary to go to a big name school for the NBA to find you.
By uncoolio
February 4, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
I don’t pretend to know whats on Chris W’s mind but I know for a fact that there are people concerned that CHris has hurt his chances by playing for UD—-and he hears it. Its not made up. There is alot at stake here—-so perhaps the Coach—the ADministration might think about putting something else other than money first with this program and give this kid a chance. There is no excuse for the type of schedule this team play’s—NONE.Chris is a great player-no one will see him play-shame on the U
By johnny
February 4, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
UD is a up and coming program who wouldnt want to be part of that? you all are stupid and to the wright state fans the whole 5 of you that talk unless your winning get a life you kids are not even on the same level as the Dayton Flyers the only thing that has made you guys popular is butler… and really thats nothing to brag about with how they got blew out the other night
By uncoolio
February 4, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Couple of thoughts-this story has been going around the area for several weeks now so I don’t blame the DDN for addressing it unlike some of the paranoid morons that scream(anti UD )everytime an article is wriiten.Secondly—its true that Chris has taken a ribbing for the TERRIBLE schedule UD has put together.ANd I know he’s sick of talking about it.Ud is to blame here,you can’t get great talent to come here and stay here if you schedule weak sisters of the poor-This schedule= no NBA.
By Ted
February 4, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this
Dumb article.
By Jim O'Hora
February 4, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
Chris Wright is first and foremost an intelligent young man. He knows and realizes that becoming a professional requires the gift of natual talent coupled with mastering the basics and honing his skills and the better he does that the better his chances are of making it on the next level. He missed most of his freshman year due to injury, so he still has a lot of learning to do and we can all see he is improving each game. He knows it’s not time yet. Until then let us just marvel in game.
By wayne
February 4, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this
stay in school chris enjoy these times
By Uncle Jake
February 4, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
Chris is surrounded by a wonderful family and they support well thought out decisions.These assumptions are so irrational and ludicrous.Chris has integrity;and a real family who loves him dearly and will collaborate together in making a profound intelligent decision.Thanks for your thoughts and concerns.
By Clammy
February 4, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
A couple yahoos asked a question on a Facebook page. This is a news story?
By jimmie
February 4, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this
Gosh this was a stupid article. Above the fold, front page of sports section. Gee, where’s the story about tonight’s game? Oh, on the inside. Where is this “frenzy” of which he writes?
By FaithfulFlyer65
February 4, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
Now that CW has spoken, I hope it will shut up all the know-it-alls. I’ve said all along that he wouldn’t leave. The flyers are primed for greatness the next 2 years, and maybe even this year. Playing here lets his family, friends, and adoring fans see him in action. He also has a chance to be one on UD’s all time greats and play on one of the best teams in their history next year.
By Pohlerbear
February 4, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
STAN PLEASE !!! Look no further then Marquette in their house. Barring a major break down they are in the NCAA. That ia when we will see if they belong mnetioned with the top programs. As far as Wright, he is going no where until possibily after his Jr. year. Maybe ! Turn overs, free throws and outside shooting must improve and it will. I wish the best for him. GO FLYERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By bub
February 4, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
Probably because Doug Harris read the “flame” comments that some X fan keeps posting in these comment sections, and saw that some of us responded to it… “hey, great idea for an article!” “How about I just add fuel to this speculation, or try to dispel the rumor?”— Regardless, I hope this talk can just go away! The future looks too bright for UD over the next 2 years… and judging by the pace of Chris’ development, he might just be ready for the NBA at graduation time.
By 21
February 4, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this
Of course he will, UD will be in the tourney the next 3 years so he will get plenty of exposure.
By Stan
February 4, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
Chris Wright is going home after the regular season when the “Bracket Committee” sees Dayton’s RPI. (and the fact that they are afraid to play the Wright State Raiders!!!!)
By Kevin
February 4, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
Chris Wright isn’t going anywhere. I have no clue why this article even needed to be written.