Does Eric Mika have a future in the NBA?


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PROVO — When BYU sophomore Eric Mika announced last week that he was staying in the NBA draft and forgoing the final two seasons of his collegiate eligibility at BYU, he surprised a lot of people around Provo.

That included his coach.

“I think that’s safe to say, that I was surprised. I think we all were on our staff,” BYU coach Dave Rose told KSL’s Rod Zundel. “But when Eric started talking about what he was looking forward to, and that money wasn’t an issue — he was trying to develop into a pro and find a spot, and it started looking that way (like he would stay in the draft).”

Rose was taking part in the annual Golf to Eradicate Cancer charity event at Alpine Country Club, a cause that is still close to his heart after a scary diagnosis eight years ago.

“It’s great to come out, spend the day, and raise a lot of money for the Huntsman Center,” Rose said. “I’ve had quite a few procedures, but right now things are really good and I’m clear until I go back at the first of the year.”

Of course the topic of conversation also revolved around losing a star center after two years. BYU is anything but a bastion of one-and-done players with limitless NBA potential, but relies more commonly on third- and fourth-year players to continuously develop in a system.

With Mika’s decision to leave BYU, the once-named “Lone Peak three” will have at least two years revolving around Nick Emery and T.J. Haws. In addition, the Cougars will welcome back four players from LDS missions for next year, along with a prep school wing and a junior college point guard.

“We’ve got six perimeter guys and six post players on our roster right now. The most important thing is for guys to get in the gym and get ready,” Rose was quick to add. “We won a lot of games before Eric came, and we’ll win a lot of games when he leaves.”

Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Rose knows a little of what Mika was thinking before making his intentions clear. His prized post player averaged 16.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in two seasons at BYU. He’s also had a chance to showcase himself to NBA scouts and front-office personnel.

Before signing with an agent, Mika attended the NBA Combine, where he impressed in some areas — but was less than impressive in others. He showed that he is a 6-foot-10 power forward who doesn’t shy away from contact, but also shot 52 percent from the field in two seasons with the Cougars.

“Eric had a very good workout for us,” said Utah Jazz vice president of player personnel Walt Perrin, whose team invited Mika to Salt Lake City the weekend before the Combine. “He competed both offensively and defensively. He showcased some things to us offensively — especially with his jump shot — that he wasn’t able to showcase at BYU.”

But perhaps the biggest determining factor in Mika’s decision was time; at 23, he’s as old as most college seniors. After serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Italy, Mika was eager to get on with his pro career.

In the NBA, age is a big deal. Even as stars like the ageless Joe Johnson blossom in their mid-30s, the NBA draft continues to put a higher value on age and youth than the college game, life experience or maturity.

“Eric’s age got him in a situation where he is uncomfortable,” Rose said. “He didn’t like people telling him 23 is old as far as the draft is concerned.

“The two years he spent on his mission were tremendous for him and his personal growth, but they may have hurt us a little bit.”

After his announcement that he was staying in the draft, Mika received some good news from draft analysts. Draft Express elevated him to the No. 48 overall prospect, a second-round pick currently held by Milwaukee.

He’s also the No. 67-rated player by ESPN.com, which leaves him outside the draft.

In other words, he’s still gambling on being drafted at all. But Rose believes Mika can improve in whatever system he finds himself next season, be it the NBA, the soon-to-be rebranded G-League, or Europe.

“We wish him the very best,” Rose said of Mika. “He’s a great kid, a hard worker, and he’s got a great future ahead of him. Hopefully it’s in the NBA.”

Yes, it’s a gamble. But so is everything else with regards to predicting an NBA future.

And with two more roster spots available to NBA teams for developmental players, Mika’s chances of finding a professional home are as good as they’ve ever been.

“I don’t know if you ever really know if a player is ready,” Rose said. “You’ve just gotta get up there and give it your best shot, see where you fit.

“I just hope he gets a shot — drafted, on a team, in summer league.”

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