ISU men's basketball: Brackins looks at how predecessors fared in NBA draft

Jordan is a different story. The 7-footer left Texas A&M after averaging 7.9 points and 6.0 rebounds as a freshman last season. He wasn't selected until the second round by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 35th pick.

"He probably needed to stay, because he didn't do that much,' Brackins said. "He could have been one of the best centers in the Big 12. But he had so much potential, and that's what they loved about him.'

Now Brackins faces a decision of his own after a breakout season. He takes averages of 22.1 points and 9.4 rebounds into Wednesday's first-round Big 12 tournament game against Oklahoma State at the Ford Center.
"I want to be here and play here,' Brackins said of Iowa State. "But everybody thinks if you have an opportunity to do something you can't pass it up, especially if it's a sure thing.'

But is it a sure thing?

"I have to do what's right by Craig,' Iowa State coach Greg McDermott said. "And that will involve a lot of research and a lot of phone calls, and asking the right questions, to provide Craig with enough information so he can make an educated decision that's in his best interest. If he feels he has to go, I have to support that.'
At least one Big 12 underclassman has been a first-round draft pick every year since 2002. In addition to Beasley and Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge left Texas after his sophomore season and was the second player selected in the 2006 draft. Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin, the 2009 Big 12 player of the year, is projected as the No. 1 pick in June.

"I do think it adds to the exposure of the league, which helps recruiting down the road,' Kansas coach Bill Self said.
There were four underclass first-rounders last season: Beasley, D.J. Augustin of Texas and Brandon Rush and Darrell Arthur of Kansas. Jordan was one of three underclassmen to go in the second round.

"There's just so much to think about,' Brackins said. "That's why I haven't even tried to put myself in that situation and think about it, because we still have the season left.'

The NBA's early entry deadline is April 26. As long as Brackins doesn't hire an agent, he can return to Iowa State. The draft withdrawal deadline is June 15. Brackins said agents have tried to contact him since he scored 42 points against Kansas on Jan. 24.
"I ignore them because I can't say anything,' Brackins said.

Griffin was in the same boat as Brackins last season, but elected to return to college for one more season.

"I'm not saying Griffin had a terrible freshman year,' Brackins said. "But I didn't see the things Beasley and Durant did. But after this year, there's not much more he can accomplish.'