Nebraska basketball: Optimism rising for players’ returns?
Nebraska basketball fans are holding their collective breaths wondering whether James Palmer Jr and Isaac Copeland are coming back.
During the press conference announcing Armon Gates as the new Nebraska basketball assistant coach, Tim Miles had an optimistic take on another subject. Miles was asked what he felt the chances of James Palmer Jr. and Isaac Copeland returning for their senior seasons are.
Miles responded that he feels it’s always 50/50 but today, it seems more likely the two-star players will be back. While that should make Cornhusker fans feel good, it’s not the same thing as the players themselves making the announcement.
One factor that is likely playing into Miles’ newfound optimism is that neither player was invited to the NBA Draft combine. The problem is that even if they aren’t going to the combine, they’re getting looks from NBA teams.
Miles said it’s always 50/50 if Palmer and Copeland come back, but said right now it’s probably more likely they are back at NU next season. Still a lot to play out though.
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) May 7, 2018
According to Miles, Palmer has worked out with the Celtics, Oklahoma City, and the Clippers. There are other teams that will be hosting him in the near future as well.
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Copeland has worked out in front of the Celtics, Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers (and former Husker player now Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue) and the Rockets. The big question for both players is “just how bad do they want to go to the NBA?
Nebraska has been here before. The offseason after the Huskers returned to the NCAA tournament in over a decade, they lost their two star players.
The difference there appears to be that both Terran Petteway and Walter Pitchford really just wanted to be done with college. That’s not the vibe people around the program are getting from Palmer and Copeland.
It’s clear from his limited comments that Miles really doesn’t want to read too much into whatever he’s heard from the players. Perhaps they’ve asked him to keep it under his hat for now.
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It’s more likely that James Palmer Jr and Isaac Copeland are still conflicted about what they want to do. Should they choose to come back to the Nebraska basketball program, the latest we’ll know is May 30 so get out your calendars and circle the date in red marker.