Draft Decisions: LaRavia, McGowens, Abogidi, Bolton, More
Wake Forest junior forward Jake LaRavia will remain in the 2022 NBA draft rather than returning to school and taking advantage of his remaining NCAA eligibility, he announced on Twitter. LaRavia, who spent a single season with the Demon Deacons after transferring from Indiana State, is considered a borderline first-round pick. He currently ranks No. 32 overall on ESPN’s big board.
Meanwhile, Nebraska guard Trey McGowens is also going pro and remaining in the draft rather than using his final year of college eligibility, according to a press release from the school. Unlike his brother Bryce McGowens – who is the No. 29 player on ESPN’s board – Trey isn’t in the top 100, so he’s a long shot to be among the 58 players drafted later this month.
While LaRavia and McGowens will remain in the draft, the following early entrants are withdrawing, according to various reports and announcements:
- Efe Abogidi, C, transferring from Washington State (sophomore) (Twitter link via Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports)
- Rasir Bolton, G, Gonzaga (senior) (Twitter link)
- Joe French, G, Bethune-Cookman (sophomore) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Jaelen House, G, New Mexico (junior) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- B.J. Mack, F/C, Wofford (junior) (Twitter link)
- Omari Moore, G, San Jose State (junior) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Nick Ongenda, C, DePaul (junior) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Malachi Smith, G, transferring from Chattanooga (junior) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
- Jacob Toppin, F, Kentucky (junior) (Twitter video link)
- Kerwin Walton, G, transferring from North Carolina (sophomore) (Twitter link via Rothstein)
David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, Others Declaring For NBA Draft
Colorado State junior David Roddy will test the NBA draft waters this spring, retaining the option to return to school, he tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Roddy, who is the No. 31 prospect on ESPN’s big board, was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year this season after averaging 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 1.2 SPG with a .571/.438/.691 shooting line in 31 games (32.9 MPG). The 6’6″, 260-pound forward helped lead Colorado State to its first NCAA tournament appearance in nine years.
“I am looking forward to showing NBA teams that I can thrive in any situation,” Roddy told ESPN. “Whether the pace is slow or fast, free flowing or stagnant, there are so many facets and intricacies that I have learned over time that will help me be one of the best and most important players on the court. But mostly I am just excited to chase a childhood dream and make it a reality.”
Wake Forest forward Jake LaRavia is also entering the 2022 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he announced on Tuesday night (via Twitter).
After transferring from Indiana State to Wake Forest, LaRavia was a full-time starter for the Demon Deacons as a junior in 2021/22, averaging 14.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG on .559/.384/.777 shooting in 33 games (34.2 MPG).
According to Mike Schmitz of ESPN, LaRavia doesn’t project to be a “true defensive stopper,” but he players hard and has good instincts and should be able to defend multiple positions at the next level. He’s currently the No. 40 prospect on ESPN’s board.
Here are some of the other players who are putting their names in the 2022 draft pool:
Expected to forgo remaining NCAA eligibility and stay in the draft:
- Jamal Bieniemy, G, UTEP (senior) (link via Adrian Broaddus of 600 ESPN El Paso)
- Darius Days, F, LSU (senior) (Twitter link via Jon Chepkevich)
- Ronaldo Segu, G, Buffalo (senior) (Twitter link)
- Jeenathan Williams, G/F, Buffalo (senior) (Twitter link via Chepkevich)
Testing the draft waters:
- Ricky Council IV, G, Wichita State (sophomore) (Twitter link)
- Kyler Edwards, G, Houston (senior) (Twitter link)
- B.J. Mack, F/C, Wofford (junior) (Twitter link)
- Lamar Norman, G, Western Michigan (junior) (Twitter link)
- Josh Oduro, F, George Mason (junior) (Twitter link)
- Donovan Williams, G/F, UNLV (junior) (Instagram link)
Our running list of early entrants for this year’s draft can be found right here.