Auburn forward Chuma Okeke has declared for the 2019 NBA draft.
The 6-8 sophomore became one of the Tigers’ top contributors this past season before suffering a torn ACL during the team’s Sweet 16 game against North Carolina.
New NCAA rules allow players to go through the draft process with an agent and retain their college eligibility if they go undrafted, so Okeke still has the option of returning to school.
"I want to thank God, my family, my coaches and teammates, and the entire Auburn Family for their continued support these past two seasons." – @chuma_okeke#WarEaglehttps://t.co/wwXhpNrtB7
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) April 20, 2019
He averaged 12.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this past season, and there could be plenty of NBA teams interested in him despite the knee injury.
Okeke is currently projected to be the No. 37 pick to the New Orleans Pelicans, according to NBADraft.net.
Should both Okeke and fellow teammate Jared Harper pursue professional opportunities, Bruce Pearl will likely lean on several key returners and a talented 2019 recruiting class to build off the momentum of this year’s Final Four appearance.
The Tigers have five players signed in the class, and they are also in the mix for Little Rock grad transfer Rayjon Tucker.
For more SEC basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell.