A Word of Advice for John Gilchrist

John, listen to me. I have something important to tell you. DO NOT ENTER THE NBA DRAFT! You're a fifth round pick at this point, and if you haven't noticed yet, the NBA draft does not have five rounds. It only has two.

Your career has been definied, to this point, by three great games in last year's ACC Tournament. That's it. Sure, you were unconscious during that stretch. You were making everything you shot. You were rebounding strongly among the big men. You were getting to the line. You were finding your teammates. You were looking like Allen Iverson reincarnate in college. We thought it would last. We thought this year's team was going to be competing deep into the NCAA Tournament because of you. Sadly, we were wrong. You stunk. You were awful. You played some of the worst basketball from a Maryland point guard in a long while. Probably the ugliest since Duane Simpkins.

But still, you're good. You're an excellent athlete with a better than average jumper. You can rebound extremely well for a man of your size. You seem to have an idea of what's happening on the court at all times. You have good vision; you can make some amazing passes. You can be a great college basketball player. But ...

You are not ready for the draft. The only thing working for you is that this year's class is weak in general. Still, you are not ready. You would do well to play your last year at Maryland, then try. But even with four years under your belt, you're not guaranteed to be selected by a team. Don't go the way of Joseph Forte and Keith Bogans. Stick around. Enjoy college life. Play college basketball. Learn how to work within a system. Develop into a true point guard. Turn the Terps around. Be a leader. Demonstrate some class. Educate yourself on the game of basketball for one more year. Then give it a go.

You're making a huge mistake if you think you can make the jump. Don't believe me? Just ask William Avery.