Texas A&M Basketball: Updated Tyler Davis 2018 NBA Draft stock after he hired an agent

Tyler Davis has been one of Texas A&M basketball‘s most consistent players over the last three years; the forward has officially hired an agent and will not return for his senior season.

As one of Texas A&M’s best and most consistent players, especially this past season, Tyler Davis declaring himself eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft was disheartening for fans who wanted to see him return for his senior season.

Thanks to a relatively new rule, this declaration was not final. He could still return as long as he didn’t forgo his amateur status by hiring an agent. That changed over the weekend. According to Adam Zagoria, Davis has his sites set on the NBA and will indeed hire an agent.

Davis reportedly told ESPN: “I just want to start my career as a pro and have decided to stay in the 2018 NBA Draft with the goal of being in the NBA next season.”

Given the trajectory of the NBA, and perusing the internet for Mock Drafts, playing in the NBA next season doesn’t seem like a realistic goal for Davis. Not a single full, 60-pick mock draft I could find has Davis being selected. Unfortunately, he was just born too late.

If this were 20 or 30 years ago, when the NBA valued guys who could get a bucket by whatever means necessary, the 6-foot-11 Davis might be a lottery pick. Today’s game values versatile defense and long-range shooting. A player like Davis would disappear on any of the playoff teams that made it this season, especially on those remaining.

Having watched most of Davis’ career, he should have stayed another year to develop his three point shot. He took one over the first two years, and when he finally started shooting them this season, he did so at a 28% success rate and didn’t even average one attempt per game. This at the much shorter college three point distance.

Though that’s not the only thing holding him back. Davis also lacks athleticism required to play at the next level. He isn’t fast or quick. He would get exposed by most players in the NBA on the defensive end. His inability to switch in pick n rolls and be a dependable help defender in the post is not something he can easily fix.

As good as Davis’ footwork and post moves are, and make no mistake about it, Davis can get buckets, his limitations are too much to ignore at this point in his career.

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I can’t get mad at a guy for wanting to get his money. He’ll have a home overseas if he isn’t selected in the NBA Draft (a likely scenario), but considerably less eyeballs will see his improvement if he makes any. One more year in the SEC would have been much better for his development.

Jeff Shull is the Site Expert for the Gig Em Gazette on FanSided. Follow him on Twitter, and be sure to follow the Gig Em Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.