Jodie Meeks update

With the 2009 recruiting class now wrapped up, Kentucky fans now turn their eyes to three things: making sure all of the newcomers are eligible, resolving the roster situation, and Jodie Meeks NBA Draft decision.

With Eric Bledsoe now in the clear academically according to his coach, it looks like the newcomers are going to all qualify (although I am still slightly concerned about John Wall) and I have hashed and rehashed the roster situation, but I am going to do so again in the coming days. That leaves us with Jodie Meeks to talk about today.

News last night came out that Jodie would be working out with the Washington Wizards today at 11 am for about an hour according to the Baltimore Sun. Also working out at this time will be Greivis Vasquez of Maryland, LSU’s Marcus Thornton, and Mississippi’s David Huertas. Jodie knows two of his three workout mates well, having faced off against them in the SEC twice last year. Based on this group, it looks like the Wizards are targeting a guard in the second round with the 32nd overall pick. I’m not convinced that being assured of taken at this spot would be good enough for Jodie.

Also, there is an article in the Nashville Tennessean this morning talking about Kentucky’s recruiting haul. In it there is a mention of Jodie Meeks and the NBA Draft:

Day by day, player by player the pieces are falling together for Kentucky. Power forward Patrick Patterson already has removed his name from the NBA Draft list. Many believe guard Jodie Meeks will do the same in the next few days.

I’m not sure how good this writer’s information is, but color me skeptical. Unless workouts are going very poorly for Jodie and he feels like he is harming his draft stock, I see no way Jodie withdraws before the NBA Combine May 28-29, and probably not even until after more early June workouts, as I said earlier this week.

If Jodie is working out well right now, he’s making money for himself, even if he decides to return to UK. He’s making contacts, showing teams what he’s all about, and getting invaluable input about what he needs to do to better set himself up for the next level. Besides, Jodie is a competitor: I’m sure he loves lining up against other elite players.