Sitting next to his parents and his aunt and uncle, Phil and Carol Morant, at the office of his agent, Jim Tanner of Tandem Sports and Entertainment, Morant explained his decision Saturday to become a pro and his journey from lightly recruited player in South Carolina to lottery pick. “I didn’t try to force the decision to come out early,” Morant told USA TODAY Sports. “Me and my family just talked it over and felt like now is the right time and made that decision.”
More on Draft Agents
Oregon Ducks freshman Bol Bol has officially turned pro, hiring an agent at CAA for representation in his eventual NBA career, the agency told ESPN on Friday. The 7-foot-2 center is No. 12 on ESPN's rankings of the top 100 NBA draft prospects.
Bol will look to CAA to overlook his ongoing rehab and pre-NBA draft meeting and interview schedule. He will also rely on the firm to land him potential endorsement deals, beginning with a shoe deal. Bol boasts 650,000 followers on Instagram, the third-highest total among draft prospects behind only Duke's Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett.
"They're only saying that because it's Rich. When Shaq came to see me play in high school, when A.I. came to see me play in high school, they weren't saying it was a recruiting trip then. But because it's Rich Paul and LeBron, now it's a recruitment trip. "Now Rich is a threat to everybody, and they look at it and they want to keep trying to jab my agent and jab my friend. And what is he doing that's wrong? They don't say that about no other agent when other guys go see [players]. They don't say that about no other agent, but my guy because he's a threat. "And he's African-American, too. Throw that in there."
Klutch Sports Group: Welcome Darius Garland to our 2019 Draft Class! @dariusgarland22
Klutch Sports Group: Welcome Darius Garland to our 2019 Draft Class! @dariusgarland22
Adam Zagoria: One option under consideration for Vandy’s Darius Garland is withdrawing from school and signing with an agent in advance of the NBA Draft, source says. Garland is done for season with an injury.
BDA Sports has signed several prospects for the NBA draft, including Georgia Tech guard Josh Okogie, Villanova forward Omari Spellman and Texas A&M forward/center Robert Williams. Calvin Andrews is representing Okogie, Marlon Harrison is representing Spellman, and Kevin Bradbury is representing Williams.
Jeff Goodman: Kevin Hueter is signing with Andy Shiffman and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, source told ESPN.
Adam Zagoria: Kevin Huerter is expected to hire Priority Sports for his representation, league source says.
Liz Mullen: NBA draft prospect and PG Point Guard Anfernee Simons, who played at the IMG Academy last year, has signed with @RosenhausSports for representation. NBA agent Bobby Petriella is representing Simons, who is seen as a 1st round pick.
Sean Deveney: A month ahead of the draft, Sporting News has learned that Texas A&M center Robert "Big Cat" Williams has changed agents, and is now represented by Kevin Bradbury of BDA Sports. He will participate in a workout for teams on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Jeff Goodman: Utah State junior guard DeAngelo Isby told ESPN he will remain in the NBA Draft. Has signed with Darren White of Future Sports Management. Played first two years in juco ranks.
Liz Mullen: Oregon State F Drew Eubanks has signed with @ISEWorldwide for the NBA Draft. Agent James Dunleavy is repping him.
Jeff Goodman: Go ahead and remove Western Carolina’s Mike Amius from the “testing the waters” section. He’s signed with an agent, will play professionally. I know you were unable to sleep without knowing this info.
Donte Grantham: Excited to announce I signed with Raymond Brothers and @I AM Sports & Ent. !!!
Liz Mullen: Duke point guard Trevon Duval has signed with I AM Sports & Entertainment for the NBA Draft. Agent Raymond Brothers is repping him.
Sam Vecenie: Not sure if this is out there yet, but Kentucky prospect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed with Wasserman as his agency. Thad Foucher will rep him.
Bruce Pascoe: Arizona's Allonzo Trier has signed with agent James Dunleavy. He'll participate in the NBA Combine later this month along with Rawle Alkins.
Michael Scotto: Former Arizona guard Rawle Alkins has signed with agents Dan Frank and Jarinn Akana. Alkins received an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, as @Adam Zagoria reported. He is expected to participate in all portions of the combine.
A Tulane source confirmed Wednesday that junior Melvin Frazier would sign with agent Thad Foucher of Wasserman Media Group, electing to stay in the NBA draft and give up his final year of eligibility with the Green Wave. Frazier, a versatile 6-foot-6 forward who attended Higgins High, is the first Tulane player ever to leave for the NBA before his senior season.
Bryan Kalbrosky: Melvin Frazier, from New Orleans, will sign with the same agent (Thad Foucher) that represents Anthony Davis. Frazier is a strong defender + had 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds per game for Tulane last yr. The Pelicans have a mid-2nd round pick and he may still be available. #DoItBig
Liz Mullen: Basketball Center Mitchell Robinson, a McDonald's All American, who did not play in college, has signed with veteran NBA agent Raymond Brothers for the NBA Draft. Brothers told SBJ he's now 7'2" and "easily a top 3 talent."
Zhaire Smith has officially signed with Roc Nation Sports, thus ending his college career. The company released the news in an email on Thursday.
Shams Charania: Sources: Boston College junior Jerome Robinson has decided to stay in the 2018 NBA draft, signing with CAA Sports. Robinson, a 6-foot-6 scorer, averaged 24 points in ACC this past season.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: The final consensus Top 10 pick in the June NBA Draft has chosen his representation: Alabama guard Collin Sexton has signed with Austin Brown and Leon Rose of CAA.
Darren Heitner: Switching gears, @excelsm has signed Mikal Bridges & Marvin Bagley III (@Marvin Bagley) for the 2018 NBA Draft
Liz Mullen: Texas Tech G Zhaire Smith has signed with @RocNation Sports for the NBA Draft. Agent Roger Montgomery is representing him.
Zhaire Smith: After careful consideration I've decided to forgo my collegiate career and sign with Roc Nation. Again I want to thank my family, friends , coaches, teammates, and TT fans. Your support has been great . I know this is the best decision for me and I hope to make y’all proud!
Liz Mullen: Oklahoma G Trae Young @Trae Young has signed with @Octagon for representation in the NBA Draft. Octagon NBA agents Omar Wilkes and Jeff Austin are repping him.
Chandler Huntchison: Beyond excited to be part of the @prioritysports family! The journey continues... #NBADraft #Limitless
Jeff Goodman: Former Duke standout Marvin Bagley III has signed with Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, source told ESPN.
Jeff Goodman: Ohio State’s Keita Bates-Diop told ESPN he has signed with CAA and Austin Brown.
UCLA junior guard Aaron Holiday has hired agent Charles Briscoe, a partner of Premier Sports Council, forgoing the final year of his eligibility, Briscoe told Yahoo Sports. Holiday announced his plans to declare for the draft last month. Holiday led the Bruins to an NCAA tournament berth this season, averaging 20.3 points, 5.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Jared Weiss: Miami’s Lonnie Walker IV is joining Catalyst Sports and will be co-represented by agents Happy Walters and George Langberg, per source. Walker is projected to be a mid first-round pick as we enter NBA Draft workout season.
Edge Sports International: Proud to announce Dakota Mathias @DMathias31 @BoilerBall has joined the #EdgeFamily Dakota has the best 3pt% (46.6) and best A/TO ratio out of any projected draft pick in this year's Class- All-Time Leader in 3pt. shooting in Purdue History #OnTheRise #NBADraft #NBALegit
David 'Dubi' Pick: Villanova's top-10 NBA prospect Mikal Bridges is close to hiring Excel Sports for his representation, sources tell me.
Michael Porter : Excited to be joining the @prioritysports family!
Miles Bridges: God couldn't have placed me in a better place for these last two years. I wanna thank Coach Izzo and the rest of the coaching staff for giving a skinny kid from Flint a chance to play at such a legendary program. I would like to thank the academic support for helping me out everyday. I also want to thank Spartan Nation for welcoming me with open arms into their community and school. And last but not least I would like to thank my teammates for the bond and memories that we will share for a lifetime. I will be a spartan for life no matter what!! With that being said I am entering the 2018 NBA draft and I am signing with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports.
David 'Dubi' Pick: Projected top NBA draft pick Michael Porter Jr. is close to signing with Mark Bartelstein and Priority Sports to represent him, according to league sources.
Me: You went with Jeff Schwarz and Excel to represent you. How did you make that choice? Malik Monk: Me and my brother. Just sat around and talked about it. Jeff looked out for us first instead of himself ... He didn’t care about himself about anything. He talked about us. He didn’t say his name with anything until later on.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Potential No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz has signed with agent Raymond Brothers, league sources tell @TheVertical.
Jorge Sierra: North Carolina guard Nate Britt has signed with agent Derrick Powell of Tandem Sports.
Shams Charania: N.C. State's Dennis Smith Jr. has hired agent Kim Grillier of PSE Sports. Smith worked out for Orlando, scheduling visits in top-10.
Roc Nation Sports has signed three players for representation in this year’s NBA draft, including Villanova guard Josh Hart. Roc Nation also signed Florida State forward Dwayne Bacon and Oregon forward/center Chris Boucher. Joe Branch will represent Hart, Roger Montgomery will represent Bacon and Sam Permut will represent Boucher.
Michael Scotto: Former Kentucky forward Derek Willis has signed with Premier Sports Council agent Charles Briscoe, a league source told Basketball Insiders.
Kennedy Meeks measured 6-10 1/4 with shoes with a wingspan of 7-1. He met only with the San Antonio Spurs at the combine, but expects to have some workouts coming up. “I didn’t have an agent until I got here, so it was kind of a late process,” he said of signing with agent Charles Briscoe.
Adam Zagoria: Duke's Frank Jackson says Kevin Bradbury with BDA is his agent.
Jeff Goodman: Frank Jackson will sign with Bill Duffy.
Michael Scotto: North Carolina center Kennedy Meeks will be represented by agent Charles Briscoe, Basketball Insiders has learned.
Jeff Goodman: Nevada's Cameron Oliver staying in NBA Draft. Has signed with Todd Ramasar of Life Sports Media & Entertainment, Ramasar told ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Source: Louisville sophomore Donovan Mitchell, who says he's staying in the 2017 NBA Draft, plans to sign with agent Ty Sullivan of CAA.
Adrian Wojnarowski: North Carolina's Justin Jackson signed with Tandem, agent Jim Tanner tells @The Vertical.
YM APAA Sports: Welcome to the family, @FrankMason0! 🏀 #YMAPAA
Jeff Goodman: Former Ohio State big man Trevor Thompson told ESPN he has signed with Thad Foucher of the Wasserman Group.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: Texas' Jarrett Allen, possible lottery pick in 2017 NBA Draft, signed with agents Derrick Powell and Jim Tanner of @_tandemse.
French point guard Frank Ntilikina has officially decided to enter 2017 NBA Draft, as his agency CAA Sports confirmed to DraftExpress. Ntilikina is projected as a potential top-10 pick and he's the biggest International prospect in the draft.
Michael Scotto: Source: Terrance Ferguson will sign with Rich Paul. Potential 1st round pick turns 19 in May. He's a 6-7 SG with athleticism & 3-point range
Jorge Sierra: Draft prospects OG Anunoby and Tyler Dorsey will be represented by Octagon, we're told.
Ike Anigbogu hired an agent Thursday, ending his basketball career at UCLA after one season. Wearing a UCLA basketball T-shirt, the 6-foot-10 freshman posed for a picture with agent Jason Glushon posted on Twitter as part of Glushon Sports Management’s announcement of its newest client.
Sam Amick: Agent news as draft approaches: Gonzaga's Zach Collins is signing with Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports, I'm told. Projected lottery pick
David Aldridge: Kentucky soph guard @ZayBriscoe to sign w/veteran agent Brian Dyke, per league source. 12 ppg, 5.4 assists last year. Potential 2nd rounder.
Michael Scotto: Wisconsin star Bronson Koenig signs with Edge Sports, Basketball Insiders has learned. He's Wisconsin's all-time leader in 3-pointers made.
Glushon Sports Mgmt: Welcome @IkePostrs_ & the Anigbogu family to our family. We're so excited at what the future holds! #Family #UCLA #8Clap #LetsGetToWork
Jorge Sierra: French draft prospect Mathias Lessort has signed with Wasserman and will be represented by Jason Ranne and George David.
Glushon Sports: Welcome @London_Tyus to our family. We can't wait for what the future brings! #UVA #LetsGetToWork #ValleyStyle
Glushon Sports Mgmt: Welcome @drobbb3 and his family to our family. Can't wait for all the great success ahead, on & off the court. #DRob #Gators #LetsGetToWork
Chris Haynes: Nigel Williams-Goss will sign with agent Greg Lawrence of Wasserman, ESPN has learned.
Kansas freshman Josh Jackson has announced he will enter the NBA draft. Jackson, who released a statement on Monday, was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year after averaging 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He helped the Jayhawks to a 31-5 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. The 6-foot-8 Jackson has signed with former NBA player B.J. Armstrong of Wasserman Media Group.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: Duke's Jayson Tatum signed with agent Jeff Wechsler. FSU's Jonathan Isaac previously signed with Wechsler. Both are lottery picks.
Jeff Goodman: Duke big man Harry Giles has signed with agent Jeff Schwartz.
Liz Mullen: Kentucky G & projected NBA lottery pick Malik Monk has signed with NBA agent Jeff Schwartz of @excelsm.
Jeff Goodman: Roc Nation has signed former Florida State wing Dwayne Bacon.
Michael Scotto: Jonathan Isaac has chosen to be represented by Jeffrey Wechsler, league sources told Basketball Insiders. Isaac is a projected top 10 pick.
Jake Fischer: Michigan's Zak Irvin has signed with Edge Sports. DJ Wilson and Moe Wagner are leaning towards entering NBA Draft without rep, per sources.
Jeff Zillgitt: Vanderbilt's Luke Kornet has signed with Jim Tanner and Tandem Sports and Entertainment for his NBA representation
Jeff Goodman: Fox has signed with Happy Walters. Not sure on Monk yet.
