COLUMBIA | So many thought Missouri’s Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll were foolish to put their names in the 2008 NBA draft pool.
Lyons and Carroll — both coming off modest junior seasons — weren’t ready. If they didn’t pull out and return for their final college season … well, when was the last time you heard about Albert White or JaRon Rush?
But as the NBA draft takes center stage tonight, Carroll and Lyons are happy about two things: They went through the process, and they’re coming back and joining seven new faces the Tigers hope can help reverse the misfortune of the past few years.
“It was a plus,” Carroll said of the summer workouts and evaluations. “It made my confidence go from here (about eye high) all the way to here (over his head).
“When I play against these guys, I feel like I’m already at another level.”
Lyons seconded that emotion.
“I got some honest feedback from a lot of teams and a lot of workouts,” Lyons said. “I know what I’ve got to work on.”
Lyons closed his junior season with a bang. He averaged 16.1 points and eight rebounds in his final 16 games. His overall shooting percentage of 58.3 led the Big 12 Conference and ranked No. 24 nationally.
Carroll, who sat out a season after transferring from Vanderbilt, averaged 13 points and 6.7 rebounds despite a nagging ankle injury that bothered him most of the season.
Now able to bump and sky, Carroll contends he is ready to lead in every way.
“I feel the most comfortable I’ve ever felt here at Mizzou,” Carroll said. “They want me to be a captain. They want me to lead. So I’m going to go out there and lead.”
Carroll and Lyons both say they intend to watch the draft, but do not expect any “that could be me” feelings.
“It’s just a good feeling to know you went through the process,” Carroll said.
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