What to know about looming NBA draft decision for Colorado State basketball's Isaiah Stevens
Arguably the most important decision of the 2023-24 season for the Colorado State men's basketball will be made within the coming weeks.
Where will Isaiah Stevens play basketball next winter?
The point guard will either be a professional basketball player or back in Fort Collins with the Rams.
Here's a look at the key things to know as decision day nears.
What's happening now in Isaiah Stevens' pro basketball decision?
This is an important week for Stevens and his pro evaluation.
The Allen, Texas, native is one of 44 players invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp, often rereferred to as the G League combine.
That event is Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14, in Chicago, with players competing in front of NBA and G League scouts and executives.
Stevens is not among the nearly 80 players already invited to the NBA Draft Combine on May 15-21 in Chicago, but some from the G League camp will then earn an invite to the NBA Draft Combine.
What is Stevens' NBA draft and pro potential?
There are 58 selections to be made in the 2023 NBA draft, and mock drafts across the board don't have Stevens as a selection.
ESPN doesn't have Stevens among its 18 ranked draft-eligible point guards. Neither The Ringer (top 60) nor The Athletic (top 100 players) has Stevens on a draft board.
That suggests if he were to go pro this summer, his path would likely be as a two-way contract, G League spot or overseas.
What is the timeline for a decision?
David Roddy's decision last year didn't come until the very end, with his official announcement on June 1 that he would stay in the draft.
He was also one of the last players to make that announcement, and it's not expected Stevens will take that long to make his decision.
Once through with the combine, Stevens will likely have the key information to make a decision. The final date to withdraw from draft consideration and return to CSU is May 31.
If Stevens goes, then ...
If Stevens departs for pro basketball, it will mean a scholarship opens up for CSU. More importantly, it opens up a question of who leads the offense. CSU has two young guards — sophomore Tavi Jackson and freshman Kyan Evans — and the staff is very high on both.
Because of their youth, coach Niko Medved may look to add a veteran guard to the lineup via the transfer portal. That could be tricky to find a perfect fit at this late date in the offseason, which is the same struggle CSU ran into after Roddy's departure a year ago.
If Stevens stays, then ...
CSU's roster is set.
A return of Stevens would mean all available scholarships are accounted for and the additions of Joel Scott, Nique Clifford and Javonte Johnson, combined with the key returning players, would mean the Rams will be a trendy pick to have NCAA Tournament potential.
More: Colorado State men's basketball offseason transfer tracker
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: NBA draft decision looms for Colorado State basketball's Isaiah Stevens
