Fortson enters name in NBA Draft without agent
Courtney Fortson
Sunday, April 18, 2010
FAYETTEVILLE — Courtney Fortson has placed his name in the NBA Draft, but will not be represented by an agent.
Fortson is still enrolled in classes at the university and has until May 8 to withdraw his name from draft consideration. The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 24.
Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey made the announcement via a news release Sunday afternoon.
“Courtney is an extremely gifted basketball player,” Pelphrey said. “He certainly has the talent to play the game of basketball at the highest levels and we support him in his decision to explore that option. He has not hired an agent, so the possibility remains that he could be with us next season. More than anything we appreciate Courtney and his family communicating to us his intentions and support his actions whichever they may be.”
Fortson averaged 17.9 points per game and led the Southeastern Conference in assists in league contests (5.9). He was suspended the first 14 games of the season during a time when five players faced varying disciplinary actions and suspensions during the non-conference slate.
Pelphrey stressed academics when discussing Fortson's options after the season, when Arkansas finished 14-18.
“Courtney and I have had discussions about how important it is to right now take care of the business at hand, which is school, and he’s doing that," Pelphrey said March 19.
Another option may include a try in the professional ranks overseas.
This is the second year in a row an Arkansas player has entered his name in the draft without hiring an agent. Forward Michael Washington did so after his junior season last year and returned to Arkansas for his senior season.
Comments
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dwp007 says...
Fortson's a gifted kid, though a perpetual distraction, in my opinion, both on and off the court.
I think the Razorbacks will do much better next season, with or without Fortson.
April 18, 2010 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CnDHawg says...
I agree dwp007, I don't believe Fortson will lead the team next year if he does not get better control of his attitude and actions on and off the court. He has way too many turn overs and seems to be more of an individual player than a team player. Pel's offense is built around team play and Fortson has cost the team as many losses as he has contributed wins. He has yet to fully understand the position of PG as a general, not a colonel. He has to do more than just play basketball.
April 18, 2010 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alext2963 says...
PLEASE GO PRO! If he goes to the NBA, he won't last 2 years. They don't put up with all that dribbling and running around. Fortson will end up overseas. The sooner the better. (take Washington with you) Fortson is a cancer. BYE!!
April 18, 2010 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hogfan1509 says...
Well guys, with Fortson gone whom will you blame for any woes next season? Some of you folks are oh so deep in your support of the coach and oh so quick to jump a player? Do you want a coach and no players? This merry-go-round just keep a churning doesn't it! My guess is that same old same old just ain't gonna cut it with the majority of Hog Fans any longer!
April 18, 2010 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stabor says...
let him go, i believe the "team" will be better without him. as others have pointed out, fortson's not a team player. worried more about his own stats than winning games. good riddance!
April 18, 2010 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hogalicious says...
LOL! NO WAY is he ready for the NBA. He won't be able to drive around players in the league like he does in college. He needs to stay in school and get an education! I don't think he will go the NBA route this year. I don't think he will hear what he wants to hear. However, he may go to Europe. Whatever he does I wish him the best.
April 18, 2010 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tizaflhogfan says...
Hey...lets worry about this young man for once. He IS team oriented and IS a big loss should he opt out. Remember the impact Corey had on the "team" when he returned from suspension? I, for one, am rooting for him to come back for his Junior year. His education is going to effect him the rest of his life, and Coach Pelfrey does care about his kids getting their college education. STAY, Mr. Fortson.
April 18, 2010 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
04Razorback says...
pretty sure we were god awful during the 14 games he was out...there were numerous articles written on this site about how much of a difference maker he is...these same articles also included quotes from various head coaches singing his praise.
Just my opinion, but we need him. We need him for a full season though! I do think he's got to get his stuff together, but he clearly out works probably anybody on the court.
April 18, 2010 at 9:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wyohog says...
I suspect that any decision to leave for the NBA OR overseas revolves around academics. I think it's obvious that Courtney is not ready for the NBA (I doubt he will ever play much in the NBA). The real fact probably is that he won't be academically eligible to play next year, so he has no other choice but to leave school. I believe academics was the reason for his suspension last year, too, and it just doesn't look like he wants to work as hard in the classroom as on the court. Whatever he does, I wish him well.
April 18, 2010 at 10:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RazorRandy says...
wyohog, I think you nailed it.
April 18, 2010 at 11:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jedog says...
I have nothing against the kid... clearly ..at least for me... hogs will be better often without him... good luck .... let us get some team play back at arkansas... guess he is another Wall ... right? Hello..
April 19, 2010 at 1:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vivapordia says...
I understand the legal background and the history of how this situation evolved. I just wonder why we can legally prevent kids going into other professions from the ability to make a living without completing a professional degree. I get it that kids actually major in athletic performance whether we want to admit it or not but the comparison doesn't stop there. Even if they appear to excel in their first year or two, an eduction student can't decide to skip the rest of his college degree just because he feels he doesn't need any more development. Yes, money of course plays a part. However this path was made for dramatic hardship exceptions. When it first was proposed, an overwhelming majority of players entering the draft were big failures. Now, the statistics are not as clear because it is the expectation that anyone the smallest hope of playing professionally will never see a senior year. Perhaps this is a primary contributor of legal and behavioral problems many of our young athletes have. Surely there are more factors and I can debate from other perspectives but It appears the legal comparisons deserve to be revisited. If our pro sport commissioners are really concerned, they need to investigate this question.
April 19, 2010 at 3:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rmmr says...
I wish Fortson the best. I think he could use another year of college bb.We would have had a much worse season without him,he played with a lot of heart, but his legs could not hold that tempo for the season. Thats when coaching a kid to play within himself instead of poor shot decisions was needed. GOOD LUCK FORTSON!
April 19, 2010 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CnDHawg says...
I agree wyohog that Fortson is more than likely in trouble with academics. One thing many seem to forget is that a student athlete is a student first or should be. Colleges were established to increase education and many have become nothing more than a breeding ground for the NBA with the stupid rules they have in place. Why should a kid worry about grades when they have someone in their ear telling them how much better off they will be in the pros. The main problem being that only a handful of those that complete on the college level will ever see a pro court.
I do not feel Fortson has a snowball's chance in Hades of making it in the NBA and will only be the next Patrick Beverly to foolishly follow behind someone that has no clue as to what it takes to make the pros. Good luck Courtney. No education and no pro contract equal a long road ahead of you.
April 19, 2010 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vivapordia says...
Good observation cndhog.
April 19, 2010 at 7:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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