By JACOB POLACHECK
Marquette sophomore guard D.J. Carton is leaving the program to pursue a career in professional basketball, the school announced Wednesday.
He will enter the 2021 NBA Draft and hire an agent.
Carton, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound point guard out of Bettendorf, I.A., averaged 13.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as a sophomore during the 2020-21 season.
He averaged 31.1 minutes per game, starting in 24 of 27 games for the Golden Eagles.
“I would like to thank Marquette University, Coach [Shaka] Smart and my teammates for their support throughout my decision process,” Carton said in a release Wednesday. “I am thankful for the opportunity and looking forward to the next step in my career.”
Carton began his college career in 2019-20 at Ohio State, posting averages of 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a freshman.
He took a leave of absence from the Ohio State program in January of 2020 before transferring to Marquette for his sophomore season.
“We fully support D.J.’s decision and wish him all the best as he pursues his professional career,” Marquette head coach Shaka Smart said. “We have enjoyed getting to know him over the past few weeks and we appreciate his contributions to the program.”
Photo: Marquette Athletics
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