Frank Martin: In life, you only have so many opportunities. He's got a huge opportunity right now. It's a hard decision, but I think in life if you can put yourself into a position that's a hard decision, then you're doing things the right way. He's done things the right way because he's facing a hard decision -- to stay in college or open that next door to a professional career.
He has to do what's right for him and his family. That's where my advice will come from. It's not what's best for Kansas State University, it's not what's best for John Doe ... it's what's best for Michael Beasley.
MM: Michael really does enjoy being in college, and he really has done so much for Kansas State.
FM: He really does (enjoy college life), or that decision would have already been made. Mike loves college life. He has that stage where he's a celebrity, but then can disappear into being a college kid. He's embraced the responsibility or re-establishing Kansas State as somebody on the national scene talks about. He's opened doors for us for television, for recruiting, and things that will continue to better this program.
MM: When do you think he will make the decision?
FM: He's going with his family back to the east coast this weekend, and I'm scheduled to visit with him on Tuesday (of next week) for the normal one-on-one player meeting, and I'm sure that will be part of the conversation.
Then we're going to go to the Final Four ... he has to be there (for potential awards) and I have to be there ... and then by then we will be removed enough from the season that he can make an intelligent decision as to what's best for Mike.
We're so close to the season right now, the feelings are still with the team, and Kansas State, that he has to remove himself from that thought process.
MM: Is the message different for Bill (Walker). I'm reminded of coach (Bob) Huggins comment that it's not about making an NBA roster, but having an NBA career. Most projections have him in the second round.
FM: It's similar. It's what's best for him. It's easy for those of us who are not struggling on buying that next meal, but when a young man comes from the environment that he comes from, and has a mother who works as hard as she has to make a living and provide for him and her younger daughter, it has to be considered.
Now, he has an opportunity to relieve those responsibilities from his mother's shoulders, that has a bearing in the decision making process.
MM: What is your guess that Mike might do? Any gut feeling?
FM: I think he's going to go, and I think it's the right thing to do, because he's going to be the top pick in the draft.
Do you know what Kevin Durant's (No. 2 selection last year) contract was worth?
MM: Roughly $100 million.
FM: How can you say no to that? How can I sit here and tell him that he's wrong for doing that?
MM: Walker is projected as a second-round pick.
FM: He has a different decision to make. It's more, is it time for him to go just because of need.
But I think he'll go in the first round. How many other freshmen in the country, at the BCS level, average 16 points and 7 rebounds a game? How many other freshmen in the country did that?
You saw the USC game. If you're a scout sitting in the stands, wouldn't you say he's a first-round NBA pick? If O.J. Mayo's a first-round pick, isn't Bill Walker a first-round pick?
MM: Are his knee surgeries another piece to the puzzle?
FM: He's dealt with a major injury already, so there's the difference between him and Mike. Mike's never faced a major injury. Bill's overcome it not once, but twice. It creates a greater sense of urgency.
