The most acclaimed prospect in the history of USC hoops is officially on his way to the NBA. Evan Mobley declared for the NBA draft on Friday, closing the final chapter of a single storybook season in which the 7-footer helped propel a program revival, swept the Pac-12 awards and led USC to the Elite Eight.
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Mobley’s decision to declare had been expected ever since he committed to USC in August 2019 as the highest rated recruit in the program’s history. But how he announced on Friday was unique. The top prospect will auction off his draft declaration as a one-of-a-kind nonfungible token (NFT) titled “League Bound.”
Alabama’s leading scorer guard Jaden Shackelford is testing the NBA draft waters. Shackelford announced on social media Thursday night that he was entering the draft but wouldn’t hire an agent, leaving the door open for a return to the university.
Duke sophomore Matthew Hurt announced Wednesday that he will declare for the 2021 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility by hiring an agent. Hurt was named first-team All-ACC and was named the ACC's most improved player after averaging 18.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 44.4% from 3-point range. "I'm so appreciative of Coach K, the coaches and staff at Duke for always trusting and believing in me," Hurt wrote on social media. "It was always a dream of mine to play at Duke, and it's also a dream of mine to play in the NBA."
Georgia Tech guard Jose Alvarado will hire an agent and test his NBA draft stock while still leaving open the potential to return for a fifth season. Alvarado made the announcement Thursday with a tweet.
Miami Hurricanes sophomore guard and leading scorer Isaiah Wong announced his intention to enter his name into the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.
After dramatically improving his basketball game from his freshman to sophomore season at Duke, Matthew Hurt is taking going pro. Having led the ACC in scoring at 18.3 points per game last season, Hurt is joining ex-teammates Jalen Johnson and DJ Steward by declaring this summer’s NBA Draft.
Santi Aldama announced his intention to enter the NBA draft but will maintain his NCAA eligibility retaining the option to return to Loyola Maryland.
Iowa wing Joe Wieskamp will test the 2021 NBA Draft waters, Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery said on Wednesday during his press conference.
Jeff Goodman: Baylor’s Matthew Mayer announces he will declare for the NBA Draft, but will preserve his college eligibility.
Sophomore guard David Johnson is leaving Louisville to pursue a professional basketball career. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound player will enter his name in the 2021 NBA Draft and forego his remaining collegiate eligibility, the university announced Wednesday.
UNLV senior center Cheikh Mbacke Diong announced that he is entering the NBA draft without an agent — and the NCAA’s transfer portal — all but ending his career with the Rebels, according to an interview he did with ESPN.
Blake Francis will declare for the 2021 NBA Draft and begin his professional basketball career, the Spiders guard announced on Tuesday.
Purdue's Trevion Williams — a first-team All-Big Ten pick and honorable-mention All-American as a junior — will declare for the NBA Draft while retaining his college eligibility by not signing with an agent, he announced on Monday.
Senior forward Eugene Omoruyi declared for the 2021 NBA Draft in an Instagram post Monday.
Kansas forward Jalen Wilson announced that he has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft today. “I am grateful to say that with prayer and discussion with Coach (Bill) Self and my family, I will test the NBA draft process,” said Wilson. Wilson will retain NCAA eligibility while testing the draft process.
Miami Hurricanes redshirt senior guard Kameron McGusty has decided to enter his name into the NBA draft, but that doesn’t mean his time at UM is necessarily done. “I am entering my name into the 2021 NBA Draft, while maintaining my collegiate eligibility at the University of Miami,” McGusty said in a social media statement on Monday evening.
Junior center Kevin Samuel announced his intentions to test the 2021 NBA Draft waters on Monday night. Samuel, who is scheduled to graduate this spring, posted a lengthy message on his Twitter account about his decision. In part, it read: “I’ve decided to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility.”
Virginia guard Trey Murphy III will test the NBA Draft waters, but will not hire an agent leaving the door open to a potential return to Charlottesville next season.
Marquette’s Dawson Garcia is ready to test the NBA draft waters. The talented freshman announced on Monday night he is putting his name into the draft but will maintain his college eligibility by not hiring an agent.
Michigan State Basketball: Best of luck to our guy @hennny11 Aaron Henry, who will declare for the 2021 NBA Draft
Syracuse’s Alan Grifin will enter the NBA Draft and is expected to sign with an agent, according to sources. A 6-5 swingman, Griffin played one season with the Orange after two seasons with Illinois. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 28 games at Syracuse.
DePaul sophomore forward Romeo Weems is hiring an agent and will enter the 2021 NBA Draft, he announced on his Instagram Wednesday.
In a tweet Sunday, Texas Tech guard Mac McClung said his focus would be on preparing for the NBA Draft, and that he was entering the transfer portal.
Michigan basketball is losing another senior. Chaundee Brown announced Saturday afternoon that he is entering his name into the NBA draft and will hire an agent.
Louisville basketball's leading scorer is testing the NBA Draft waters. Carlik Jones, a graduate transfer who received all-conference honors in his first season with U of L, declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on Saturday "while still maintaining my eligibility as a Cardinal," he said in a post to his Instagram account.
Sophomore guard Scotty Pippen Jr. has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft, according to his social media accounts Saturday morning. Pippen Jr. stated his intentions to declare for the NBA Draft, and he will retain his college eligibility by not signing with an agent as he initially goes through the process.
Arkansas guard Moses Moody has hired an agent and will enter the 2021 NBA draft, he announced Friday on The Jump.
Illinois senior Trent Frazier announced Friday on social media he will use an NCAA-approved agent to help him enter the NBA draft, but he intends to maintain his eligibility as he explores the process. “To my teammates, my brothers, and all of Illini Nation, I want to say thank you for being part of this special journey,” Frazier’s announcement read. “We have created memories that will last forever. You guys took me in and helped me grow into the person I am today. The support you guys gave me has been overwhelming.”
Jon Rothstein: Maryland's Aaron Wiggins has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility, per his Instagram page.
Jon Rothstein: Maryland's Eric Ayala will also declare for the 2021 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility, per release.
Jon Rothstein: Creighton's Damien Jefferson will forgo his additional year of eligibility and enter the 2021 NBA Draft, per his Twitter page.
Jon Rothstein: Florida State's Scottie Barnes will sign with an agent and enter the 2021 NBA Draft, per his Twitter page.
Fighting Illini senior Trent Frazier is now the third player on the team to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft. Frazier joins Ayo Dosunmu and Giorgi Bezhanishvili as 2021 draft entrants. He is the second to confirm he plans to hire an agent, joining Dosunmu in that regard.
Florida State freshman guard Scottie Barnes announced he will be entering the 2021 NBA Draft, foregoing the remainder of his Seminole eligibility.
Creighton's Damien Jefferson has announced his intention to declare for the NBA Draft. Jefferson will forgo his additional year of eligibility.
Senior guard Geo Baker, the face of the Rutgers basketball program who led the Scarlet Knights to their first NCAA Tournament in 30 years, announced on Wednesday that he will enter his name in the NBA Draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility, leaving the door open to a return to Piscataway next season.
Moussa Cisse announced Tuesday he is declaring for the NBA Draft. The 6-foot-10 center recently completed his freshman campaign at Memphis after enrolling a year early following a standout season at Lausanne. In a statement he posted on social media, Cisse said he will not sign with an agent in order to maintain his collegiate eligibility.
In a social media post this afternoon, Coastal Carolina guard Devante Jones said he’s declaring for the 2021 NBA draft. Jones will not hire an agent, therefore he can possibly return to Conway for his senior season.
After a single season at USC in which he helped the Trojans to their first Elite Eight in two decades, point guard Tahj Eaddy is turning pro. The senior guard, who transferred from Santa Clara to USC last spring, announced his intent to declare for the NBA draft Thursday in an Instagram post. He’ll forgo the extra year of eligibility provided by the NCAA in hopes of being drafted this summer.
Maryland basketball junior guard Eric Ayala announced on Friday that he entered his name in the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility.
Ohio State junior Duane Washington Jr. announced Friday that he will enter the 2021 NBA Draft. Washington made the announcement on Twitter.
Arkansas freshman guard Moses Moody declared for the NBA Draft on Friday. He appeared on ESPN’s “The Jump” to make the announcement. “I would like to hire an agent and enter my name into the 2021 NBA Draft,” he said on ESPN.
Kansas forward Jalen Wilson announced that he has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft today. “I am grateful to say that with prayer and discussion with Coach (Bill) Self and my family, I will test the NBA draft process,” said Wilson.
Shawnee State senior big man E.J. Onu has officially announced his intention to enter the NBA Draft, as announced by Onu himself on Thursday on social media.
LSU guard Javonte Smart, who in three years went from local prep star to outstanding leader and one of the league’s top point guards, announced on his Instagram account late Thursday morning that he will be entering the NBA draft. Smart said “… thank you for an amazing three years. I, along with my family, have decided to enter the 2021 NBA Draft with an agent.”
Villanova forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl announced Friday that he is declaring for the NBA Draft and hiring an agent after a standout sophomore season for the Wildcats. Robinson-Earl averaged 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season and became a double-double machine late in the season.
After one of the best seasons in Alabama men's basketball history, senior Herb Jones has announced he will enter into the upcoming NBA Draft. Jones joins fellow senior John Petty in the NBA Draft pool, due to the pandemic seniors had the option to return to universities for an additional year. Both Jones and Petty went through draft evaluations last year but opted instead to return to Tuscaloosa for their senior years.
Maryland men’s basketball junior guard Aaron Wiggins announced on Friday that he entered his name into the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility.
Arizona State freshman forward Marcus Bagley has declared for the NBA Draft, he told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Bagley told ESPN he is keeping all of his options open and has not yet hired an agent.
Sophomore guard Terrence Shannon Jr. announced via Twitter on Thursday that he’s declaring for the 2021 NBA draft. Shannon said in his post that has decided to retain his eligibility and will not sign with an agent just yet.
Yves Pons posted a thank you note to Tennessee fans on social media on Friday afternoon and appears to be moving on with his basketball career. “I’ll always cherish my four great years at Tennessee,” Pons posted on Instagram and Twitter, “and I’m proud to be a Vol For Life!” Pons could have returned next season, using the free year of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it was widely expected that he would move on to whatever is next in his career — the NBA, the NBA’s G-League or playing overseas.
Kansas basketball’s Ochai Agbaji announced Thursday that he has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft.
Shams Charania: Baylor junior Davion Mitchell -- a potential lottery pick -- is declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft and plans to hire an agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Mitchell led Baylor to the national championship on Monday.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Tennessee freshman guard Keon Johnson – No. 6 in ESPN’s Top 100 -- will enter the 2021 NBA Draft and hire an agent, Johnson tells @DraftExpress . “The NBA has always been my goal, but I never expected it to come this soon.”
Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu has decided to enter the 2021 NBA draft and forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility, he said on ESPN’s The Jump on Wednesday (link via Jonathan Givony of ESPN).
The Jump: 🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨 Ayo Dosunmu declares for the #NBADraft! 👏 #NBA #NBATwitter #TheJump
Adam Zagoria: South Carolina wing Justin Minaya will test the NBA Draft waters and also enter the portal as a backup pic.twitter.com/8sSVSbhGdD
Maryland senior Darryl Morsell will declare for the NBA Draft and enter the NCAA transfer portal, he announced Monday. But he although he also hasn't ruled out a return to College Park.
WVU sophomore guard Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride will be entering his name into the 2021 NBA Draft, after a report by ESPN on Friday night.
Rutgers junior forward Ron Harper Jr. announced his plans to submit his name for the 2021 NBA Draft and go through the NBA’s evaluation process while maintaining his college eligibility in an Instagram post Friday.
Loren Cristian Jackson, point guard for the University of Akron men’s basketball team, announced Friday that he will enter the 2021 NBA Draft, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
D.J. Stewart Jr. announced Thursday that he'll enter his name into the NBA Draft pool, but unlike the other players that have decided to leave the program, the redshirt sophomore standout left the possibility of coming back.
Clemson guard Clyde Trapp announced Wednesday that he is putting his name in for the NBA Draft. Trapp, the former Lower Richland High School standout, posted on Twitter that he is entering the NBA Draft but not signing with an agent — a move that opens the door for him to return to college.
Coppin State senior guard Anthony Tarke has declared for the 2021 NBA draft, he announced on social media Wednesday night, but will maintain his college eligibility.
Arizona point guard James Akinjo has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft but may still return to the Wildcats next season, he announced Wednesday.
Ohio State could lose one of its best players to the NBA earlier than expected. On Wednesday, sophomore forward EJ Liddell announced he intends to enter his name in the 2021 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility.
UNLV junior wing Bryce Hamilton is entering the 2021 NBA draft. Well, sort of. Hamilton on Tuesday announced via Twitter that he is going to partake of the draft process to “test the waters.” But he won’t be hiring an agent, allowing him to maintain his college eligibility and make possible a return to the Rebels in 2021-22.
WKU junior big man Charles Bassey has declared for the NBA draft. The original report was made by Jonathan Givony from ESPN. The announcement comes Thursday afternoon from the center who told ESPN he was declaring for the draft and hiring an agent.
Auburn’s first-year sensation has left the building. Star point guard Sharife Cooper announced on social media Friday he will be taking his talents to the NBA. “It was a tough decision, a hard decision, but with that being said, I would like to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft and hire an agent,” said Cooper.
Stanford freshman Ziaire Williams declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on Wednesday. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 20 games (14 starts) for the Cardinal in 2020-21.
Another player is leaving Florida State's basketball team. RaiQuan Gray announced on Twitter that he would enter his name into the 2021 NBA Draft.
For the last 10 days, Marshall guard Taevion Kinsey spent time talking with agents and NBA personnel after entering his name in the pool for the 2021 NBA Draft. The more he spoke with those representatives, the more Kinsey said his decision became clear. On Friday, Kinsey made his decision official, announcing that he remove his name from the NBA Draft pool to return to the Thundering Herd in the 2021-22 season.
Cade Cunningham announced Thursday that he will enter the NBA draft after a dynamic freshman season for Oklahoma State that saw him named a first-team AP All-American. "I see them as more human now than I used to," Cunningham said. "I've been looking at those guys since I was a sophomore in high school. Those are the guys I've got to try to outwork right now."
"It's hard to make that decision in the moment, so I just wanted to wait until my head was level," Cunningham said. "But I was just blessed to have that opportunity to be able to enter the draft. I felt like I had did a lot of the work early to be in that position."
Cunningham knows the work is just beginning. The Texas native has already been thinking of ways to improve before the July 29 draft. "Throughout the season, I was just adding things on in my head," he said. "We don't have as much time to just get in the gym and work. I definitely want to get my fluidity and my movement better, whether that's yoga and things like that. Just getting my range of motion and things a lot better. I still want to focus on tightening my handle, shooting the ball better, just getting more consistent at a lot of the things that I do now."
It was announced today (April 2) that Providence College junior guard David Duke (Providence, R.I.) has hired an agent and he will enter the 2021 NBA Draft. "We are appreciative of everything that David has done for our men's basketball program," Providence College Head Coach Ed Cooley said. "David has always had a goal of playing in the NBA.”
