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Odum-NBA
- Thread starter True Blue
- Start date
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Eleven
The Wade Level
I don't see it happening... but hey, I've been wrong about him already.... and I don't watch NBA..
egc1985
The Starter Level
nah, no one on this team is. doesnt mean he will or wont develop into one, but as of right now no.
bent20
The Odum Level
Does the co-worker go to ISU games? If not, then YES!!! He's got NBA talent. Come out to some games and see it for yourself. Missing quite the show!
Man I'd hate to even go that far - he's not even that type of a player right now, I hope the thought never enters his mind. His game is so "different" than the NBA style of basketball. He works his ass off, he plays good defense, he's unselfish - what I'm trying to say is Odum is good because he's everything NBA and players that think they are good enough for the NBA isn't. In other words he's above the NBA because he's not about himself and he's a team guy.
For instance how many kids do you know playing college sports that appear to have more of a chip on their shoulder than Odum? Prolly very few if any, that's just so different than someone who thinks they are good enough to play at that level.
Plus if you put any value in what outsiders think of Jake Odum they don't think to much of his game at this point. It doesn't look like he has proved himself to anyone outside of Sycamorepride.com and fans of the Sycamores. From what I have seen he gets little to no respect outside of our own circles.
With that being said - no I don't believe Jake Odum is an NBA prospect. For no other reason than he doesn't shoot the ball well enough to play in the NBA. He doesn't even elevate on his jumper mid-range or 3 point line. He shouldn't even be able to get away with that at this level, let alone the next level.
Granted if a guy like Rondo can hit it big in the league I see no reason why Odum wouldn't have a shot in 3 years. Not sure that Odum is as quick as Rondo, but he's a excellent ball handler and passer like Rondo. I just think part of the problem with guys like Lathan and Kelly (on our team, every team has them) is people kept telling them how good they were and they thought things were just going to get easy for them or at least that's my perception.
For instance how many kids do you know playing college sports that appear to have more of a chip on their shoulder than Odum? Prolly very few if any, that's just so different than someone who thinks they are good enough to play at that level.
Plus if you put any value in what outsiders think of Jake Odum they don't think to much of his game at this point. It doesn't look like he has proved himself to anyone outside of Sycamorepride.com and fans of the Sycamores. From what I have seen he gets little to no respect outside of our own circles.
With that being said - no I don't believe Jake Odum is an NBA prospect. For no other reason than he doesn't shoot the ball well enough to play in the NBA. He doesn't even elevate on his jumper mid-range or 3 point line. He shouldn't even be able to get away with that at this level, let alone the next level.
Granted if a guy like Rondo can hit it big in the league I see no reason why Odum wouldn't have a shot in 3 years. Not sure that Odum is as quick as Rondo, but he's a excellent ball handler and passer like Rondo. I just think part of the problem with guys like Lathan and Kelly (on our team, every team has them) is people kept telling them how good they were and they thought things were just going to get easy for them or at least that's my perception.
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Sycamore Proud
The Nicks Level
Good answer!
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You all know what I think of Jake Odum, so let me expand on my point. That's not saying it couldn't happen. I think 2 years from now that will be a much more reasonable question, he is certainly the best all around player for his age that I have probably seen at Indiana State in my lifetime. Just the intangibles that he brings to the game, things you can't teach. Vision, poise, leadership - those things that you can't teach, he seems to have them all. He's got a flare for the dramatic as well, he hasn't hit any game winning buzzer beaters yet, but I suspect he might before the season is over 
It depends on how he continues to develop. Jake really, really needs to become a better midrange/outside shooter to have any possibility to play professionally.
As for playing professionally, I'm not sure if he could play in the NBA even after developing a better jumper. That said, I could see him having an amazing career overseas in some of the European pro leagues because they value fundamentals and things he excels at.
If people look back at Nate Green, he could never crack the NBA and he was an amazing college basketball player similar to Jake. Jake has his work cut out for him, that's for sure but after having the privilege of watching him all year, the ball is in his proverbial court on how good he can be.
As for playing professionally, I'm not sure if he could play in the NBA even after developing a better jumper. That said, I could see him having an amazing career overseas in some of the European pro leagues because they value fundamentals and things he excels at.
If people look back at Nate Green, he could never crack the NBA and he was an amazing college basketball player similar to Jake. Jake has his work cut out for him, that's for sure but after having the privilege of watching him all year, the ball is in his proverbial court on how good he can be.
Southgrad07
The Renn Level
Now- Hell no
In 3 years if he works his ass off- Maybe
Im just going to sit back and enjoy the ride while he's a sycamore and worry about that question 3 years from now.
In 3 years if he works his ass off- Maybe
Im just going to sit back and enjoy the ride while he's a sycamore and worry about that question 3 years from now.
SycamorePsycho
The Varsity Level
NBA Prospect-He's got a LONG way to go...LONG A great college basketball player-definitely possible within the next 3 years...
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Jake can't make it to the NBA, he plays defense too well. They don't like guys like that in "da' league".
BankShot
The Kleuh Level
He's the 2nd-best passer in ISU hoop history NOW. If ISU develops a better transition game, and Odum's ISU chums learn to EXPECT the UNEXPECTED and develop their receptive skills, the dude might rival Earl the Pearl or Pistol Pete!
In 2014? Not out of the realm of possibility.
He could
I suppose it's possible but unlikely.With the limited number of spots available in any given year there just isn't much room at the top.He probably will play overseas somewhere if that's what he wants,it's just such a big jump to the NBA no matter how hard you work.You see very talented players every year who don't get a even a look at the league.Most NBA players are also physical freaks with basketball skills,Jake has great skills, don't know if he will ever be physical enough for that level.He sure is going to be fun to watch the next 3 years though.
I suppose it's possible but unlikely.With the limited number of spots available in any given year there just isn't much room at the top.He probably will play overseas somewhere if that's what he wants,it's just such a big jump to the NBA no matter how hard you work.You see very talented players every year who don't get a even a look at the league.Most NBA players are also physical freaks with basketball skills,Jake has great skills, don't know if he will ever be physical enough for that level.He sure is going to be fun to watch the next 3 years though.
SycamoreSage
The Captain Level
Don't forget Fred Stelow.
I never got to see Stelow play. He played before World War II and returned to play after the war but was killed in a car crash in 1946. Several long time ISU basketball experts, including Charlie Fouty, John Baratto and Carl Parks, ranked Stelow as the best passer in school history until Bird arrived.
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BankShot
The Kleuh Level
Sorry Sage, but Fred was a tad before my times...given your astute knowledge of ISU sports, I'll take your word! Curious as to Stelow's H.S. background & ISC coach/teamates. Can you fill us in? What branch of the military did Stelow serve?
Somewhat off the topic, but are you privy to the reason(s) why BUTCH WADE has never been inducted into the IN Basketball Hall of Fame? Thanxs.
Somewhat off the topic, but are you privy to the reason(s) why BUTCH WADE has never been inducted into the IN Basketball Hall of Fame? Thanxs.