Laettner On One-And-Dones: Zion And RJ Are Ready, The Rest Should Stay

Former Duke star Christian Laettner has never been shy about speaking his mind and as a somewhat older guy now he’s started channeling former NBA director of scouting Marty Blake.

One of the funniest features of every draft season was someone interviewing Blake about college players.

What about Jones, Marty?

“He oughta stay in school,” Blake would growl.

Smith?

“Get better. Stay in school.”

Wesson?

“The money will be there. Stay in school.”

This was completely predictable. Occasionally he’d get asked about a prodigy like Michael Jordan or Shaquille O’ Neal and he'd say...”well, he’d do okay...but he’d still be better to stay in school.”

Which brings us back to Laettner, who says that Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett are ready but everyone, presumably including Ja Morant, should stay.

Morant is talented enough but he’s still very, very skinny and he’s going to be dealing with grown men soon. Laettner - and Blake - have a point.

But as Laettner also says, people work hard to get there and it’s their own decision. True enough.