Nate Johnson and Brett Bricker won first place at the National Debate Tournament last Tuesday. The Manhattan and Wichita seniors, respectively, won for their argument to eliminate grain subsidies. The University Daily Kansan wanted to hear their thoughts on another matter: Will Sherron Collins stay or go? Here’s what they came up with.

Brett

Sherron Collins is the most valuable player in the Big 12 and one of the most fun players to watch for the Jayhawks in the past decade. If he were to return, of course, the Jayhawks would be a national championship contender, and be the favorite to repeat as Big 12 champs. Despite this, I believe Sherron should declare for the NBA draft for three reasons:

First, money. A college diploma is good for your parents, but for someone that has a family to support and has been undoubtedly dreaming about the NBA for well over a decade, it won’t have much utility for Sherron. If he needs it, he can get one on the road, but finishing in four years is overrated anyway.

Second, draft predictions. While leading the Jayhawks for another year might help his draft stock, it is questionable whether it will help it enough to move him into lottery-pick territory. This year’s draft is one of the weakest in recent memory and next year he will most likely have to compete with some amazing guard talent: Xavier Henry, Dominic Cheek and John Wall.

Third, he’s not getting any taller. An injury in his senior season, combined with the ever-looming (exaggerated) 5’11” height deficit and he might be out of the draft totally. Get the cash while you can.

Nate

There is no doubt that Sherron Collins is the best the Big 12 has to offer. But that does not mean now is the best time to leave.

Currently, Sherron is projected to go near the end for the first round or the beginning of the second round of the NBA Draft. Sherron’s draft status is looking a lot like Super Mario Chalmers’ status after last year’s national championship. Mario was drafted 34th overall by the Miami Heat and is scheduled to make $2.5 million between this year and the next two years. Certainly, that is an awesome amount of money, especially considering the world’s economic woes. But if Sherron could even marginally improve his draft status, he might make money more comparable to Brandon Rush. Rush was selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and is scheduled to make $3.7 million over the next 2 years, and make $2 million a year if the Indiana Pacers pick up his option.

With the difficulty of this year’s draft at the guard position, including higher-rated prospects such as Johnny Flynn or Willie Warren, one more year might become a shrewd economic move. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to be drafted in the 2010 economy rather than in the 2009 one.

I think that Sherron definitely has potential to improve his game, with such additions as a consistent mid-range jumper and a more traditional point guard passing skill set. Next year’s team will allow Sherron to shine on a team of potential superstars, possibly ending in his second national championship. One more year and Sherron might become one of the greatest Jayhawks in history.

— — Edited by Sonya English