I think the conventional wisdom was that he wasn't good enough coming out of college to get a real shot, went to Europe to get better, got celebrity status, and decided it is better than being second string on an NBA team...after playing silly games just to get to that status.
He tried to make it in the NBA. However, he was cut by the Philadelphia 76ers and took off for Europe.
True, although if you're asking anyone who watches any amount of Euroleague basketball who's a better player between Wilbekin and Isaiah Canaan (who made that roster over Scottie), the answer is ridiculously obviously Scottie. Canaan had a guaranteed contract, though.
Yes, McConnell and Wilbekin went in as the last two guards who both had very limited guaranteed money, and McConnell got the last spot with both playing well in preseason but with McConnell as more of a pure PG and Wilbekin as a combo. Their entire guard group, though, ended up being McConnell, Kendall Marshall, Tony Wroten, and Isaiah Canaan. Wilbekin would've played a similar role as Canaan and developed into the much better player but Canaan had a guaranteed contract.
Man, this is some serious recollection of a past player and mainly the others at the NBA level. Well done! Do you also recall the middle name of their associate manager in charge of bath towels? I have a $50 bet laid on it. Thanks!