Gary Trent Jr. is the latest Duke player to declare for the NBA draft after a single season with the Blue Devils, according to a report in The Duke Chronicle. The basketball program announced Trent’s decision in a tweet this morning, but didn’t specify whether he intends to hire an agent. However, a statement from coach Mike Krzyzewski makes it sound like he’s definitely gone.
“Gary was the best 3-point shooter in the ACC. At the NBA level, that’s what they’re looking for,” Krzyzewski said. “He has the size of a two-guard who will be able to fit in the NBA. We appreciate everything Gary brought to Duke basketball and wish him the best as he begins his journey in professional basketball.”
Trent, who posted a video announcement on Twitter, averaged 14.5 points per game and shot .402 from long distance. He currently projects as a second-round pick, rated 52nd by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony on his list of the top 100 prospects.
There are more early entrants headed for the draft:
- Maryland forward Bruno Fernando plans to enter the draft without hiring an agent, tweets John Rothstein of FanRag Sports. Fernando averaged 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds during his freshman season, but doesn’t make Givony’s list.
- Junior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon of Mississippi State also declared for the draft without an agent, according to a report in The Clarion Ledger. Weatherspoon averaged 14.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists as a junior, but doesn’t appear in Givony’s top 100. “Thank you Bulldog fans for your continued support thus far, and I am excited to see where this journey takes me,” Weatherspoon tweeted in making his announcement.
- Also entering the draft without an agent is Montana guard Ahmaad Rorie, writes Frank Gogola of The Independent Record. Rorie averaged 17.2 points and 3.7 assists per game as a redshirt junior, but also isn’t on the Givony list. “I have aspirations to play at the next level,” he said in a press release, “and this is a great chance for me to work out with NBA teams and other players who are projected to be at that level.”