Jax HAS NBA potential. He knows it, and that dream trumps all other considerations for him by a mile.

I don't have a dog in the fight. As much as I would love to see Jax return, I would be DELIGHTED for him if he made the grade. NBA is looking for signs of potential talent. Players can be pruned later.

OTOH, if he decides it is best to play another year at the college level, IMHO $ differential between schools will NOT be his priority. He will get a nice enough NIL wherever he lands. His decision will be about where he can feel sure he will have the opportunity to contribute significantly and be in the limelight (for the following year's draft.)

The projected disparity between draft years is way overrated and the illusion is largely sponsored by the agent class. Look back over the last 30+ years and you see the same exaggerated shtick over and over gain. The best time to jump ship (i.e. college to NBA) is after you have had a great year, and maximized your exposure.

If Jax returns, I predict it will NOT be to Kentucky. It will be BYU or one of 3 or 4 other schools in whose system he could be a major contributor. One huge and obvious benefit/advantage of BYU for Jax is that he already has proven and growing chemistry with Hall, Fouss, Knell, Waterman, et al. That is not insignificant. And we saw signs of the real offensive JAX emerging in the Duquesne game with that group; i.e. not just taking his shots, but getting out of his shell and driving to the basket. If he returned to BYU, it is without question that he would start, that he would be given the freedom to make his own shots. IMHO he would THRIVE here next year, and be in the limelight. He would not have those assurances if he joined another team.

And then there's the Coach Young factor —a proven and well-connected mentor at a critical time in his life. Ask any high performing athlete and they will tell you that a key mentor made all the difference in their career trajectory. I enjoyed Pope and have nothing against the guy, but JAX was the one player last year that I felt the coaching staff was not bringing the best out of. (No, I am not talking about coming off the bench.) I just always felt that Jax had much more game in him that was not being tapped. Young might be the guy to help unleash that tiger?

We shall see.