We’ll have to agree to disagree on this. Multiple credible sources, including ESPN, Goodman, and The Athletic, have reported that he wants to stay pro. Based on how Uzan has been moving and his interviews, it’s pretty clear to me that he “wants” to go pro.
His pregame comments before the Duke game — “I’m an NBA player” — and his more recent interviews all point in that direction. Saying “the door isn’t completely closed” isn’t a 50/50 statement. It definitely doesn’t even suggest he’s leaning toward coming back. I’ve watched a lot of interviews with players making draft decisions, and you can usually tell when there’s a real chance someone is considering returning. Look at guys like Otega Oweh (who’s likely coming back) and Cedric Coward (who’s likely staying in) — it was blatantly obvious they were still making a real decision.
Even in Sampson’s interview about Uzan, pay attention to the wording. He mentioned he told Uzan he could “come back” if he didn’t like what he was hearing. Compare that to how Sampson talks about other players testing the waters over the years. He never references them as “left” and can come back", but as “here” but should “leave” on guarantees. Plus, the fact that we’re actively recruiting Aberdeen while already at 15 scholarships doesn’t help the case either.
What are yall even arguing? It has been crystal clear since day 1 that Milos was going to the NBA if he got assurances of a 2 year deal. If not, he would come back.
Exactly. And even if he “wanted” to go pro, that doesn’t preclude him from leaning towards coming back. He was hopeful that the NBA would work out while being realistic about what needed to happen.
I trust JoPrior’s sources & Pesiks Game Knowledge & tape.
They’re both saying the same thing
Milo’s WANTS to be an NBA player & go pro, that is his goal and if he’s going to get guaranteed money and play in the NBA, he’s taking that without question
But the issue is he may not get guaranteed money… and seeing his draft stock currently he may be leaning towards coming back because he’s not getting guaranteed NBA Money
It is very hard to pass on 2 million… and he’d only pass it up if he’s guaranteed to make his dream come true and take a minor pay cut to do so
he is saying milos always had the intention to return, that has and is still the plan… and he helped get pop on roster so they could play together… he was planning this before the tournament even ended (when pop was recruited pop)… no context clue, interview or source hints that as being accurate
even the statement in itself… a guaranteed 2nd, isnt that notable for a player who really wants to play in college… thats the minimum passable bar
Don’t go putting words in my mouth. Never said always. I actually thought it was more likely than not he was gone. Until Pop happened and I asked around.
Milos pushed for it and was started to lean towards coming back. If you are going to quote me, quote me accurately.
And show me where I ever said this was being planned during the tournament? In regards to recruiting Pop. I would love to see it.
Hoping not getting a guaranteed contract doesn’t hurt his attitude because Sampson will not put up with anything less than 100% effort.‘I’m rooting for Milos no matter what he does and I do believe he makes us a better team.
And he better understand he will also have Fleming breathing down his neck for minutes.
i 100% buy the milos pushed for pop… in his recent interviews this week milos has noted he felt houston was the best place to develop. him and pop are friends why would you push for your friend to come to the best place you believe there is to develop
the leaning towards returning is where i dont buy it…
and regarding the planned in the touranemt… pop was recrutied during the tournament … if you are saying this was milos push and why he wants to come back… it means he did it while in the tournament… im not saying you said it… im saying your timeline says it
I don’t even believe that. Milos started feeling like it would be better to come back. And saw an avenue for Pop to take a role that would now be vacated by LJ.
Pop was 100% going to Ole Miss. Houston jumped in late. And got it done because of Samp and Milos.
this is where its lost in translation… pop considers himself a true PG… wants to be a PG… why would he want to take LJ roles that had limited to no pg roles…
we as fans and scouts might see the 1 to 1 of LJ to Pop… but Pop doesnt see himself as that and he is the one deciding… milos trains with him as a PG… pop was positioned to be the Sole pg at Creighton, steven was leaving.
and this is where it confuses more… so milos is telling every major repoorter he is leaning towards staying the draft. just to lie?
My Full Perspective on Uzan: Why Returning is the Best Decision
Bottom Line:
I believe Uzan wants to stay in the NBA Draft , but his best decision is to return to college.
Leaving Made Sense At a Point
There was a moment earlier in the season—specifically entering the Elite Eight—when leaving made sense. At that time:
Uzan was being discussed as potentially the best player on a top-three team.
He is Older
The point guard class for the NBA Draft was relatively weak.
If he had led his team deep into the tournament with star performances, he could’ve ridden recency bias and hype into a solid first-round selection (similar to what happened with Walter Clayton).
However, that Performance didn’t materialize, and his NBA Combine performance also fell flat, which hurt his stock further.
Why Returning Now Makes Sense
Addressing the Negatives
Age: Yes, Uzan is on the older side for a draft prospect. But that’s less of a red flag now than it used to be thanks to NIL (older prospects) and the success of older rookies like Dalton Knecht. Age is still a con, but Uzan wasn’t a lottery pick anyway, and being 23 as a late first-rounder isn’t a dealbreaker.
Shooting Percentages: Historically, a notable drop in shooting percentages significantly damages draft stock. While people may debate this, the data shows it’s true. (context: drops to like 34% from 3)
If Uzan’s goal is JUST to be drafted, maybe he can sneak in now.
But if his goal is to stick in the league long-term, shooting matters—either in college or next year in the NBA.
A 45th-ish pick (where he’s currently projected) rarely gets a real chance to develop. players drafted in that range don’t get much time or margin for error. Teams have little incentive to invest in their development, and many of those picks are waived within a year. If he enters the league and shoots poorly, he risks getting cut quickly
Shooting poorly next year in college could have in undrafted, but shooting poorly next year in the NBA could just have him cut. both lead to Lithuania regardless. Thus it shouldn’t be a draft decision factor. He just has to shoot well regardless
Conversely, if he comes back and shoots 41%, he could vault into the first round (e.g., pick #28) and land on a team more likely to invest in him and give him multiple years. including the money from college. That is better long term money
The Pros of Returning
Legacy & Exposure:
If he returns and leads the team to a national title, he cements his legacy—potentially a jersey in the rafters and household name status.
March Madness brings TV exposure and media opportunities—think commercials, interviews, Branding for long-term recognition and opportunities.
Weak PG Draft Class (Again):
Next year’s draft is also light on elite point guards.
Example: The #2 PG recruit is Kingston, he is ranked only #23 overall—not a McDonald’s All-American and not expected to be one-and-done.
True PG prospects in 2025 are relatively weak: Boogie Fland, Rob Wright, Jaland Lowe (older), and Bennett Stirtz (older). Uzan can clearly position himself ahead of that group.
Culture and Growth:
Uzan’s performance at the combine resembled his old Oklahoma film—minimal rebounding effort, no hustle plays, average defense, just okay playmaking, and poor shooting.
That’s concerning. It seems like the culture of hustle, defense, and rebounding hasn’t fully “stuck” yet. it not in his identity yet
Players like Grimes stayed multiple seasons and truly absorbed that culture. It’s now embedded in how he plays, even in the pros.
Uzan may need more time in the system for that mindset to become second nature—and that could significantly extend his NBA career.
Proving It Wasn’t a Fluke:
Uzan’s true dominance only spanned half a season.
Returning allows him to increase the sample size of high-level play and prove the improvement wasn’t just a hot streak.
Many of our transfers show major second-year growth—he could follow that same pattern.
#4, everyone who still has us #1 has done so on the premise they think uzan returns
espn had us #1 for most of the offseason… Borzello said after he spoke with uzan, he thinks uzan is going pro
his updated rankings- at 4
preseason rankings don’t even matter… we are just levels better than everyone with uzan imo… conversely im legit worried we’ll take some losses in NIL Era tournament if milos is gone
3weeks into the season, and could play
Alabama (SEC), Auburn (SEC), Creighton (Big East), Gonzaga (WCC), Michigan (Big Ten), Oregon (Big Ten), San Diego State (MW), St. John’s (Big East), Syracuse (ACC), Tennessee (SEC)
with only 1 guard having any notable experience with our rotations… and 1 big…
imo we are the goliath of the sport with uzan (ball dominant will minimize mistakes)… just 1 of many good teams without him
