9:40pm: Wood has evidently changed his mind and will enter this year’s draft after all, as he revealed in a YouTube video and on Twitter (hat tip to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com via Twitter).
3:12pm: First-round prospect Christian Wood has decided to return to UNLV rather than enter this year’s draft, reports Shams Charania of RealGM (Twitter link). The sophomore power forward was the 23rd-best prospect for this year according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, while Chad Ford of ESPN.com listed him at No. 27.
In what is a crowded field for big men, returning to college for another campaign could serve to boost the 19-year-old’s stock. The 2016 NBA draft is currently projected to be a weaker one than this year’s event. A strong, injury free junior season could bump Wood into being a top-20 selection come next June.
The 6’11” Wood appeared in 33 contests for UNLV last season, averaging 15.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in 32.7 minutes per game. His career numbers are 10.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.9 BPG. Wood’s career shooting numbers are .477/.261/.747.