Will BC's Olivier Hanlan Declare For The 2015 NBA Draft?
By Will Connolly
Name: Olivier Hanlan - #21
University: Boston College
Year: Junior
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190 lbs.
Hometown: Aylmer, PQ
Position: Guard
Anyone who has watched Boston College for even a single solitary game on the season would agree; junior guard Olivier Hanlan is the best player on the team. In three seasons with the Eagles, Hanlan has led the team in scoring in each and every season. He was first discovered at New Hampton (High) School in New Hampshire, where he garnered All-NEPSAC AAA team honors as a senior. Upon committing to a very young BC squad, Hanlan started all 33 games of his freshman season and garnered ACC Rookie of the Year honors after leading the Eagles to the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament while averaging 15.4 points, 4.2 and 2.3 assists per game. Unfortunately, that season would be his team's best during his tenure at BC.
His second season was a dismal one for the team, as they lost a total of 24 games and made a first round exit in the ACC tourney. Hanlan's numbers continued to rise though, as he averaged 18.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 steals in his sophomore year. He scored in double-digits in all but one game in the 2013-14 season, with the highlight of the year coming in a win over Florida Atlantic when he dropped in 38 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field (third most points of his collegiate career).
In what could have been his final season with Boston College, Hanlan once again improved his numbers to 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in 2014-15. He scored in double figures in all but one game this season and even helped the team past Georgia Tech with a 25-point performance in the first round of the ACC tournament. The Eagles did end up losing to the 19th ranked Tar Heels in the next round, but Hanlan made a strong case to be considered as a future NBA star.
A variety of news outlets have the junior guard out of Aylmer, Quebec going in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft. Some news sources have Hanlan projected to go as high as the mid 30's, while others have him as low as the late 50's. However, wouldn't it be advantageous for both parties if he were to stick around for another year? A lot of players see those dollar signs flash by and get overly excited about making the next big step; many of whom make that leap too early and never amount to anything at the next level. But if Hanlan were to commit to one final season with the Eagles, he could further develop his game, win an ACC tournament championship, help BC reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven seasons, and up the ante on his draft stock. But knowing today's youth like we do, he'll probably decide to chase the cash. And then again, who knows? There's still over a month before players have to declare for the draft, and Hanlan just may have a change of heart and decide to stick around for another season. BC fans are hoping for the latter.
