I don’t blame players that transfer down because they are not getting playing time, and it generally works out for them. It rarely works out for GW players transferring up, however. Battle is the only one I can think of. Lateral transfers are a murkier picture… Regardless, Rafael and others will do what they think is best for themsleves and there isn’t a damn thing any of us can do about it. In the meantime, let’s just enjoy the ride! It’s been really fun watching Castro play. It’s been a long time since we had a center as good as him on both ends of the floor. Kevin Larsen? Pops? Koul?

I hope Castro stays. I think it would be in his best interest as far as basketball development to stay. He went higher and it didn't work out which should be a cautionary tale. However, in this day and age, the money that he might be offered due to the dearth of big man who can be readily qualified by P5 coaches as ready to play might make it very hard for GW to keep him. We will see. 

If I were Castro, and if I could get a lot more money somewhere else, I'd leave without a second thought. I wouldn't care at all about how many minutes I get at a more prominent program.  After he's done with college, I think Castro's earning capacity wouldn't be significantly less even if he didn't get the same minutes/numbers with a bigger program.  Additionally, and I hate to say it, but look at Darren.  After least year's huge season, he came back and, well, he isn't exactly lighting it up.  This year's performance isn't going to get Darren any NBA looks and it's not going to help him get a big contract anywhere.  You think he's not regretting taking more money from a big program now?  I bet he's sick about it (assuming he had bigger offers).

The way the rules work now, I think 9 times out of 10, A-10 players should grab the money while it's available.

Last edited by Longing For Oscar-Real1 (1/27/2025 10:22 pm)

It's not difficult to embrace the notion that the money should always be grabbed when presented.  As I mentioned, if the Castro family isn't living comfortably and can really use the money right now, then of course they should accept a bigger offer.  There is no telling when an athlete's career may come to an end.

That all said, Rising's points on development are valid.  If Rafael's ambition is to play professionally, he may be better served playing 30 minutes a game at GW then running the risk of playing 8 minutes a game at Providence or somewhere comparable.

Gwmayhem wrote:

It's not difficult to embrace the notion that the money should always be grabbed when presented.  As I mentioned, if the Castro family isn't living comfortably and can really use the money right now, then of course they should accept a bigger offer.  There is no telling when an athlete's career may come to an end.

That all said, Rising's points on development are valid.  If Rafael's ambition is to play professionally, he may be better served playing 30 minutes a game at GW then running the risk of playing 8 minutes a game at Providence or somewhere comparable.

Even if a player's family is living comfortably, and all other things being equal, I can think of no reason to stay with a program if another is offering considerably more compensation. I feel this is especially true for mid-major players.  There's almost not downside to taking more money.  You might play fewer minutes but it won't hurt as long as you're not destined for the NBA.  And, if you're destined to play in the NBA, then you're going to play in important role for the better program and make more money at the same time.  NIL has changed things. I don't think it's good for us fans, but it's pretty good for the players, for the moment.  I don't have a problem with that but do think college ball is a whole lot less fun these days and that could eventually lead to a decline in the sport.  Some people think greed is good.

Last edited by Longing For Oscar-Real1 (1/28/2025 8:34 pm)

Block or Charge wrote:

Obviously the short term earning potential of a 3 or 4 star player is going to be better at a power 5 school than in conferences like the A-10, however I'm curious if there have been any studies on the long term earning potential of similar athletes that are bench players at power 5 schools versus having staring roles in lower conferences. Does starting and playing significant minutes at a lower level conference provide more exposure and better prepare players for pro careers than being a role player at a higher level, or does that player have a better chance of improving their game by practicing against high major talent at a BCS school?

I don't know the exact answer to your question but a look at the transfer portal shows that the top 150 players get scholarship offers - either up or down in terms of quality of competition. Maybe more important is the number of players who enter the portal and don't get picked up by any other program.
 

jf wrote:

Short-term yes.
I guess what I don't get is why someone, especially someone who wasn't able to rise to their
level at a P5 program like Jun and Rafael and numerous others, including Isaiah Armwood who was in a situation just like Castro--and the NBA's Tyler Cavanaugh,
would do better going to a school like that again. Long-term. 
  Unlike here, they aren't likely to become the centerpiece of their team, may be relegated to the bench.
And won't be the focus of scouts--and may be overlooked because of lesser stats.
    Lot of our players have had lucrative careers overseas.
Pretty sure pro teams everywhere look at statistics.
 So short-term, yes probably more money. Career-wise, the possibility of being relegated to less earnings.
In addition to the frustration of being on the bench or not being one of the team's top players.
  And not sure all the promised NIL money in some programs end up in the pockets of players. Haven't there
been issues over that, too?

 

 It useless to point to Cavanaugh or Armwood as examples because they played in an era where NIL was not a consideration. I would venture a guess that neither player would have come to GW if NIL was in play.

Like anything else, it depends on money and how much. If we are talking a $100,000 difference, you are probably right. But if we are talking $500,000 or more, there is no doubt what one should do - take the money. There are no guarantees as to a pro career at the margins, Starting off with $500,000 or more in the bank can be life changing at a young age. You can't discount that. And you can still go pro from anywhere if you have the talent and drive.

Last edited by GWRising (1/29/2025 1:54 pm)