Maluach is still a story

[CbusDukie]

<30 hours until the deadline and no word. I’m actually surprised the media hasn’t picked it up. The NBA typically issues a final list shortly after closure and maybe we see him on it.

My thought is they have been working to see if they can get assurances that a visa will be issued. This administration does not give in on much and they have taken a pretty aggressive stance on these types of things. Couple that with the saltiness against elite higher education and I’m of the thought he is forced to remain at Duke - which is terrible.

I do wonder if they can enter, stay enrolled at Duke under the student visa and give themselves another 30 days until the drop dead to withdrawal.

 

[christophero]

God forbid he should get a second year of free education while making several million dollars.
I think it will work out before the deadline. You shouldn't be forced to return to school.

 

[pisgah101]

God forbid he should get a second year of free education while making several million dollars.
I think it will work out before the deadline. You shouldn't be forced to return to school.

We’re getting awfully close though. I have to think they really don’t know what to do for it to drag to this point with no word

 

[christophero]

Not getting my hopes up lol

 

[sheyduke]

He’s headed for the draft . I think it’s ok to say that . Just read that student visa’s awarded prior to the decision would not be pulled .

 

[pisgah101]

Not getting my hopes up lol

Oh me either this one’s just be different obviously

 

[CbusDukie]

He’s headed for the draft . I think it’s ok to say that . Just read that student visa’s awarded prior to the decision would not be pulled .

That doesn’t make the point you think it does - that the student visa would not be pulled gives credence to what we have been saying - there is protection in staying at Duke. Foreign born NBA players have to apply and be granted a P1-a or 0-1 visa. What is in question is whether he would be granted that visa. If he has to leave and re-enter to obtain that - that seems like a non-starter.

I don’t want him back at Duke because that is not what he wants but Duke Basketball has acknowledged every other early entry but Mal. No early entry list on the web states he has entered. I think there is a reason for that and I hope it gets resolved in the next 26 hours or the NBA grants some extension for him.

 

[CbusDukie]

Article up on DBR about Mal and how the visa is impacting his decision. Loose on details but acknowledging it’s a thing

 

[Willcampbell]

There is lots more to say about all this Visa business, but we must refrain lest we get kicked to the Lounge again. Just hoping for the best outcome for Mal, an innocent victim, and his family.
OFC

 

[pisgah101]

There is lots more to say about all this Visa business, but we must refrain lest we get kicked to the Lounge again. Just hoping for the best outcome for Mal, an innocent victim, and his family.
OFC

You’re free to talk about any of that in the lounge but it only make sense to keep the basketball stuff free from that

 

[christophero]

Seems like declaring with the option to return is the smart play. That way it has more time to get sorted. Unless he wants to come back.

 

[hart2chesson]

Chris I would expect Mal to do so, with as little fanfare as possible.

OFC

 

[christophero]

Still no word. 50 minutes left.

 

[pisgah101]

Still no word. 50 minutes left.

Tick tock

 

[dadecodevil]

There is a Duke alum who works for NBA global working on this. It's my understanding that Man Man loves college and Duke, so if the visa issue forces him to come back, I doubt he will be devastated. I thought foreign players couldn't get NIL for some reason. Anyone know details on that ?

 

[Dattier]

In the fall of 2004 we were all alarmed that Greg Paulis apparently had not signed his LOI, only to find out later that he signed and submitted it quietly to avoid distractions from his football season. It was eventually announced that he did sign it and it was delivered to the Duke basketball office, just without any fanfare whatsoever.

I wouldn’t assume that whatever we think we know at midnight isn’t necessarily the end of anything.

 

[pisgah101]

In the fall of 2004 we were all alarmed that Greg Paulis apparently had not signed his LOI, only to find out later that he signed and submitted it quietly to avoid distractions from his football season. It was eventually announced that he did sign it and it was delivered to the Duke basketball office, just without any fanfare whatsoever.

I wouldn’t assume that whatever we think we know at midnight is necessarily the end of anything.

I would assume the nba early entry list is public knowledge though? I mean maybe not but it’s not like he’s going to slip his name in and the government not know

 

[christophero]

He is trying to break Keel's record of declaring 15 minutes before the deadline.

 

[christophero]

My clock is chiming. Time is up.

 

[pisgah101]

Deadlines over.. no news. Hmmm

 

[christophero]

We should hear news tomm.

 

[pisgah101]

The Newsobserver
says he entered but it’s behind a paywall

 

[pisgah101]

https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article303847861.html

 

[christophero]

Wiseman just reported he entered the draft.

 

[pisgah101]

Wiseman just reported he entered the draft.

I think he has the record now for longest wait haha. Hate I spent all day checking X for info !

 

[christophero]

It was the right choice. I figured he was gone, but even I started thinking of possible line ups with him on my hike today. Good luck to him he seems like a good guy. Edit: Proctor's decision is a little puzzling given NIL and he is a second round pick but it's his life.
Now that we know the roster we need a backup big, a portal wing like Coward or Dame and a backup PG for practice and in case of injury. All things considered 5 guys back is a success, but I wish one of those guys was Proctor.

 

[CbusDukie]

They must have received some level of assurance at the 11th hour. Glad someone somewhere used some common sense

 

[Dattier]

They must have received some level of assurance at the 11th hour. Glad someone somewhere used some common sense

And the 59th minute of that 11th hour. Literally.

I am confident that highlighting his situation will earn him an exemption from the South Sudan policy. I will not attribute that to common sense, but I'll refrain from getting into politics.

 

[christophero]

They have likely known for a while. I doubt last minute Visa news came in at 11:45 on a Saturday night. maybe they like dramatics. Zion posted a picture of mal with his back turned last night suggesting Mal could be back. It just sounds like they are trolling the fans lol.

 

[CbusDukie]

From working with the govt on certain things in the past I have no doubt this information came at the very last minute. Regardless of administration I think they somewhat enjoy the full power no accountability that only comes in those roles

 

[christophero]

I just googled it and Duke basketball has never returned zero starters. The times they are a changing. I know Foster has started, but he was not a starter for the majority of this season.

 

[Dattier]

I just googled it and Duke basketball has never returned zero starters. The times they are a changing. I know Foster has started, but he was not a starter for the majority of this season.

2018? Bagley, Carter, Trent, Grayson, Duval?
I'd argue that losing 4 of our top 6 in '99 was bigger, relative to cbb overall.
I'll take 4 rotation players and 6 scholarship players overall returning over the 2 total with 1 starter we had a year ago.

 

[christophero]

Google lied to me ha
Idk we lost a lot. 5 starters. I am glad we got guys back though but we did just lose 5 guys who will be drafted. We also lost Henderson. We need a few more guys. Foster and Evans may become consistent, but they were not this past year. Evans should break out but needs to work on shot selection. Thrilled he is back. Brown could not stay healthy. I have no idea about Harris. Pat will be very good.