Gonzaga sophomore center Domantas Sabonis has declared for the NBA Draft but won’t hire an agent at this time, the school announced Thursday.
“After a great deal of thought and discussion with family, I have decided to forego my final two years of eligibility and declare for the 2016 NBA Draft,” Sabonis said. “This has been a very difficult decision for me because of the amazing two years I have had at Gonzaga. I want to thank the coaching staff, my teammates, and all of our great fans for making this such an incredible experience for me. Zag Nation welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home in Spokane and, for that, I could not be more grateful.”
The Lithuanian big man is projected as the No. 19 pick by DraftExpress.com, but ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla Tweeted he believes Sabonis will “end up in the lottery.”
Sabonis averaged 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds for a Bulldogs team that went 28-8, losing to Syracuse in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
“[Domantas] is as impressive of a person and player as I’ve ever coached,” Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. “He has an insatiable desire to get better.”
The NBA Draft is June 23 at Barclays Center.
ESPN’s Jeff Goodman first reported Wednesday that Sabonis would declare.
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