With the college basketball season now over, many talented underclassmen have the biggest decision of their life to make. Who should make the early jump to the NBA and who should stay in college for at least one more year? Listen up Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Chase Budinger and others; I will make this important life decision much easier for you.

Kevin Love

Projection- lottery

Decision- leave

Freshman phenom Kevin Love has lived up to the hype and been one of the most impressive players in all of college basketball this season. Although he did seem a little flustered for most of UCLA’s final four game, he is NBA ready. He has reportedly told Bruins head coach Ben Howland that he will enter the NBA draft, although he denies that he has made that decision yet. I believe at least one team selecting in the early teens of the draft will make sure Love does not leave the lottery, and I believe he will be a fine NBA player. Based on practice footage during the NCAA tournament, he could probably be a specialty player for an NBA team that spots up from 90 feet. In all seriousness though, Love is physically and mentally ready. If Darren Collison and Russell Westbrook end up returning next year, Love may want to come back to make another run at a championship. However, I think it is too risky to pass up sure millions for a long shot at a championship. Go ahead and leave Kevin, go ahead and leave.

Derrick Rose

Projection- Top three

Decision- leave

This is a no-brainer. He absolutely has to leave for the NBA this year; he would be a fool not to. He has the exceptional size, speed, quickness and strength that you look for in an NBA point guard. I know that the 19-year-old is probably heart-broken after an overtime loss in the national championship game and he may feel an overwhelming urge to want to come back and try to win one, but he must know what the smart decision is. He will be financially set for life if he leaves now, and winning a national title is always a long shot. Rose has got to go.

Darren Collison

Projection- mid/late first

Decision- Stay

Just like Love, it was reported that Collison had declared for the NBA draft and Collison denied it. Collison has been projected as a mid-first round pick throughout the season. However, his lackluster performance in the final four this year could be a reason for Collison to slip past 20. After a bad ending to the season, Collison could only help his draft status by staying for his senior year. Even though the Bruins will probably lose Love and Westbrook to the draft, I just do not think Collison is ready.

O.J. Mayo

Projection- top 5

Decision- leave

Mayo has lived up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of high school. He would have been a top 10 pick if he was allowed to enter the NBA draft after high school, and he will be at least a top 10 (maybe top 5) pick now. He is a sure thing and his talent is definitely NBA ready.

Ronald Steele

Projection- Late first

Decision- Stay

Ronald Steele was once one of college basketball’s top point guards. After sitting out the 2007-08 season due to knee injuries, Steele has entered his name into the NBA draft but did not hire an agent. Steele is lottery material, but he has to prove that on the court next year after rehabbing his knees; I do not think a team will not take a chance on him before 20 this year. I do believe his stock could raise 20 spots and shoot him into the lottery if he comes back for his senior season, which is the right decision.

Richard Hendrix

Projection- late First

Decision- Whatever Steele does

Hendrix, like Steele, has entered his name into the draft without hiring an agent. If Hendrix comes back to the Tide with the same team as last year, his stock will be about the same next year as it is this year. Solution: leave early. But if Ronald Steele comes back for his senior season, it would not be the same Alabama team. I watched Auburn play a triangle-and-two defense just to stop Hendrix earlier this year. Alabama could not knock down shots, and therefore the defense worked. No team would be able do that to Hendrix with Steele on the floor. If Steele comes back, it will open up many more opportunities and less double teams for Hendrix. This would result in Hendrix having the best year of his career and could move his status up near a lottery pick. Hendrix should do whatever Steele does.

D.j. Augustin

Projection- lottery

Decision- leave

Augustin has proven that he is one of the naton’s top point guards and that he has the ability to lead a team that is contending for a championship. If he declares, he should be selected in the 8-12 range, which is great money. He is ready physically and mentally, and would not benefit much from staying another year. I believe he could immediately help an NBA team next year.

Lopez Twins

Projection- Mid-First, Top 5

Decision- Leave

Both have declared, and both made good decisions. Brook is almost a sure top-5 pick, and I don’t blame Robin at all for wanting to go out when his brother does. He will be taken in the middle of the first round and his production at Stanford could drop a little if defenses are more focused on him with Brook gone. I think Robin will be a good NBA player and his stock is pretty much as high as it will ever be. He made the right decision to leave with Brook this year.

J.J. Hickson

Projection- Late First

Decision- Stay

Hickson has entered his name in the draft but not hired an agent. Before the season, he was projected as a possible top-10 pick, but as the NC State team fell to the bottom of the ACC, Hickson fell to the bottom of the first round. Hickson still has skills that need more developing before he is ready to see minutes for an NBA team. Coming out this year would be a terrible mistake. Hickson’s potential alone will keep him in the first round, but the NBA team that drafts him will need to be patient in developing his talent. Hickson would greatly benefit from another year or two in college.

Blake Griffin

Projection- lottery

Decision- leave

Griffin has not been talked about near as much as he should have been throughout the year, getting lost in talk when discussing the nation’s top freshmen. He has proven that his skills are NBA ready and looks to be a top 10 pick. His stock cannot really go much higher than it is right now, which means he should declare. One year was enough for this talented freshman.

Marreese Speights

Projection- Mid/late first

Decision- Stay

Speights has entered his name in the draft but has not hired an agent. He is a great talent, but would benefit from another year of college. This draft class looks like it will turn out to be a strong class and with everybody coming back to Florida next season, Speights will get a chance to show what he can do in the NCAA tournament. Bottom line: he has upside and his stock will rise if he returns to a more experienced Gator team.

Chase Budinger

Projection- late first

Decision- stay

Budinger’s production declined with Lute Olsen gone this year, averaging 15.6 ppg, opposed to 17.1 last season. Olson said that Budinger will thrive again in the up-tempo system he will bring back to Tucson next season and thinks he could be a high lottery pick in next year’s draft. I trust Olsen and believe that Budinger’s stock would see a substantial rise if he stays another year. He has currently entered his name in the draft but not hired an agent.