After the basketball news we reported in Wartime Weekly, TrojanSports.com caught up with rising sophomore forwards Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu about the possibility of leaving USC early next year for the NBA.
When we spoke to Boatwright, he said he was uncertain of his pro future. Metu, on the other hand, was not. While Metu did not seriously consider leaving USC for the NBA draft this season, the 6-foot-11 budding star feels that he could be ready to leave after his sophomore year.
When asked if his goal is to go pro after next season, Metu confirmed that he intends to do just that.
“Yeah I would say so, but right now I’m just focused really on winning and getting over the hump that we had last season,” Metu said.
That doesn’t mean Metu will definitely leave USC, it would have to be the right move for him. He decided to return to school this year because he didn’t feel quite ready for the NBA. Only time will tell if he’s ready after next year.
“There’s a couple little things I need to work on, just going out there every night and making sure I can play at the next level and just competing every night,” Metu said.
He does feel like his pro days could be coming soon though, especially after a strong freshman year.
“I feel like I came in and surprised myself just a little bit, the way I competed and some of the stuff that I did,” Metu said. “I feel like another year would help a lot.”
Metu averaged just over six points, three rebounds in his freshman campaign and also ranked sixth in the Pac-12 for total blocks on the year. Outside of his presence around the rim, he showed the potential to grow into an all-around dominant big man, especially in USC’s series against crosstown rival UCLA.
When we spoke to Boatwright, he said he was uncertain of his pro future. Metu, on the other hand, was not. While Metu did not seriously consider leaving USC for the NBA draft this season, the 6-foot-11 budding star feels that he could be ready to leave after his sophomore year.
When asked if his goal is to go pro after next season, Metu confirmed that he intends to do just that.
“Yeah I would say so, but right now I’m just focused really on winning and getting over the hump that we had last season,” Metu said.
That doesn’t mean Metu will definitely leave USC, it would have to be the right move for him. He decided to return to school this year because he didn’t feel quite ready for the NBA. Only time will tell if he’s ready after next year.
“There’s a couple little things I need to work on, just going out there every night and making sure I can play at the next level and just competing every night,” Metu said.
He does feel like his pro days could be coming soon though, especially after a strong freshman year.
“I feel like I came in and surprised myself just a little bit, the way I competed and some of the stuff that I did,” Metu said. “I feel like another year would help a lot.”
Metu averaged just over six points, three rebounds in his freshman campaign and also ranked sixth in the Pac-12 for total blocks on the year. Outside of his presence around the rim, he showed the potential to grow into an all-around dominant big man, especially in USC’s series against crosstown rival UCLA.
