MU did it too with Jordan McRae who was loned to them by Philly.

loaned

Its a good point you bring up because the ennis experiment was a success for all parties involved.

Its surprising we havent seen more second rounders. The NBL is a far better option than the D League for developing in a pro league and then of course there is the financial incentive.

How many second rounders are on loan to a euro team for a year before cracking the NBA?

Well, we've got Ferguson, who came over before he was drafted. So he kind of counts?
For the most part, second round picks from the recent draft have either stayed with their drafted team (or their D-League affiliate), or were already international stashed players.
Too early to say whether it's over or not yet. I'd be surprised if it is.

Good Question.

At the time, there was a lot of talk about this heralding a new era of NBA teams using the NBL as a development nursery.
However, whilst many herald the success of Ennis and McRae, its worth noting that they both struggled on their return to the US. Ennis was traded then cut (or waived?) and McRae was in the D-League picking up 10-day contracts. It was only after a year back in the USA that both landed more stable NBA contracts.
Just speculating, but that may have conveyed the reverse message, that guys were better off in the D-League???

It should also be remembered that Ennis chose to go OS because he was trying to support his family and needed the cash which was substantially better than D-League. Guys without that pressure, intent on pursuing their NBA dream, might be better off staying within easy reach.

So Dazz you're saying that being within 'easy reach' of the NBA by playing in the D League is better because they are being noticed by more clubs scouts. As opposed to better experience in the NBL but perhaps only being watched by the club that drafted them.

That seems to be the perception but i'd be disappointed if that were the case.

I am certainly no expert on the NBA or the way it works.
It could be the stereotypical "American Attitude" that anything they don't run is incompetent and inferior? So somebody stars in the NBL, they go "ho, hum," but somebody stars in the D-League and they take notice?
It could just be a matter of opportunity. IIRC, Ennis's big break came when he got picked up at the end of season and made some big scores in "dead rubbers." McCrae also impressed in a couple of 10-day contracts, before being signed. If you're not in the D-League, you just don't get those opportunities.

It could also just be that both guys needed another year's experience and development under their belt, and would have done equally well with another super-star year in the NBL??? Unfortunately we'll never know, and prima facie it doesn't look good for the NBL.

One that will be interesting to watch is Casey Prather. I don't know if he is big enough for the NBA, but there was talk of him getting a gig after last season, and he seems to have improved since then.
IF he finishes out the season strongly,
AND gets an NBA gig,
AND does ok,
that could again improve the reputation of the NBL.

I don't know about simple homesickness. Most of these guys have already left home for college, sometimes travelling to a completely different part of America, and similarly thier D-League contract could take then anywhere.
But yes, even Ennis had never heard of Perth, and was pleasantly surprised. Unless they know somebody who has been here, and can explain just how similar Australia is, the idea of travelling to a City they've never heard of, to play in a League the know nothing about, could be a big turn-off.

The other side of America isn't anywhere near the same as the other side of the world, in terms of being homesick.

With regards to being better off in the D-league, you'd need to take into account that NBA coaches and player recruitment will put more weight on the opinions of their primary talent scouts who are usually based and operate in the 'motherland' over the opinions of their secondary travelling/affiliated international scouts.

They will also have closer communication with D-league coaching teams as opposed to foreign leagues with regards to a potential call-up's performance evaluation, particularly if its calling up a player from their respective affiliated teams. Brett Brown maybe one of the few NBL-related exceptions in terms of his opinions being held in high regards, particulary by the Spurs.

You're unlikely to get a direct callup from the NBL to the NBA, that will happen during the off-season. The D-league players can get called up with a few hours notice if needs be, hence the benefit of staying over there.