SB Nation Seattle - DeAngelo Casto Declares For 2011 NBA Draft, May Play Overseashttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48997/seattle-fave.png2011-04-16T15:41:12-07:00http://seattle.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18779842011-04-16T15:41:12-07:002011-04-16T15:41:12-07:002011 NBA Draft: Putting DeAngelo Casto's Decision In Perspective
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<p>In the past 24 hours, there’s been a lot of judgments passed on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53731/deangelo-casto">DeAngelo Casto</a>, who <a href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-st-cougars/2011/4/15/2113943/deangelo-casto-2011-nba-draft-wsu-basketball" target="new">opted to forgo his senior year and enter the 2011 <span class="caps">NBA</span> Draft</a>. The decision to enter the draft was a formality, and doesn’t necessarily mean he thinks he’ll even be picked. It’s about forming connections and catching on somewhere, whether it’s in a summer league, the <span class="caps">NBDL</span> or overseas. He knows where he stands and is dead-set on playing professionally somewhere.</p>
<p>But the question of why kept coming up. Why stop short of getting a degree and why now? Some of it stemmed from Washington State fans longing for success in the immediate — Casto is a catalyst in the success of the team and the only low-post threat. But part of it stems from simply not understand Casto, who he is and where he’s come from.</p>
<p>In a <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com/2011/4/16/2115015/deangelo-casto-2011-nba-draft-wsu-basketball" target="new">post for CougCenter,</a> I explored Casto’s past and how it’s shaped who he is and what he wants to be. As a product of the foster system, Casto has lived a rough, nomadic life at times. With a child in-tow and a family to provide for, it’s time for him to move on and take care of himself in the professional field.</p>
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<p>There’s a nomadic way about DeAngelo Casto that’s been present throughout his life. He bounces around, never takes root in one place and slips away when its time to leave. It happened again this week as he took off for Las Vegas, packing his things and moving on again.</p>
<p>So while we preach education and realizing future earnings over immediate gratification, it comes from our own backgrounds, not his. The fact Casto has made it this far — through almost three years of school and on the cusp of a professional career — is amazing considering his background. But for him, it’s time to move on to the next stage.</p>
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<p>There’s more to it, and I encourage you to <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com/2011/4/16/2115015/deangelo-casto-2011-nba-draft-wsu-basketball" target="new">read the rest</a>. For more on Casto and the Cougars, be sure to bookmark <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com" target="new">CougCenter </a>as a one-stop shop for Washington State news.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/washington-st-cougars/2011/4/16/2115498/2011-nba-draft-deangelo-casto-wsu-basketball-early-entryBrian Floyd2011-04-15T16:44:25-07:002011-04-15T16:44:25-07:00DeAngelo Casto Declares For 2011 NBA Draft, May Play Overseas
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<p>In a move fans of the Washington State Cougars have been expecting, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53731/deangelo-casto">DeAngelo Casto</a> announced he will enter the 2011 NBA Draft and forgo his final year of eligibility. Casto does not show up on any NBA Draft projections, but he is determined to play professionally somewhere, even if that means playing overseas. In the meantime, Casto has left Pullman and headed to Las Vegas to workout ahead of the draft in an effort to, hopefully, find a landing spot.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink/2011/apr/15/wsus-casto-leaving-pros/" target="_blank">news comes from Vince Grippi</a>, who hinted at Casto's possible departure on Thursday before getting in touch with him to confirm it on Friday. Grippi gave a bit of insight into Casto's draft stock and what scouts are staying.</p>
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<p>Some of the NBA scouts I talked with over the course of the season pointed out how skinny his legs were, though they also pointed out that was an area that he could improve on. But one scout also pointed out his hands, how small they are, saying they can't be fixed.</p>
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<p>It's been assumed for quite some time that Casto would end up playing professionally in Europe. He has a young son to provide for and without help from his family -- he had a rough situation growing up that's been chronicled numerous places -- Casto felt it was time to attempt to make a living playing basketball.</p>
<p>With Casto out of the mix, the Cougars become woefully thin in the post, where no other starter brings the bulk and skillset to the table that he does. Washington State fans are also holding their breath in anticipation of an announcement from <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com/2011/4/14/2111309/klay-thompson-2011-nba-draft-deangelo-casto" target="_blank">Klay Thompson, who is currently considering early entry into the 2011 NBA Draft</a>.</p>
<p>For more on Casto's decision and the Washington State Cougars, head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com" target="_blank">CougCenter</a>.</p>
https://seattle.sbnation.com/2011/4/15/2333574/deangelo-casto-declares-for-2011-nba-draft-may-play-overseasBrian Floyd