Xavier point guard Edmond Sumner has decided to enter the 2017 NBA draft, he announced this week on Twitter. Sumner is a sophomore, so he could test the waters and withdraw his name by May’s deadline, but his statement makes it sound as if he’s committed to going pro this year.
“After weighing my options with my family, I have decided to enter the 2017 NBA draft, fulfilling a lifelong dream,” Sumner said, noting that the decision was a difficult one because of his love for Xavier. “I want to thank Coach Mack and the rest of the staff for believing in me and giving me a chance when no one did! I’ll always be grateful for that.”
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Sumner, 21, enjoyed a breakout year in 2016/17, averaging 14.3 PPG, 4.8 APG, and 4.2 RPG, while shooting a career-best 47.9% from the field. However, his season was cut short by a torn ACL, which he suffered in January.
The injury will complicate Sumner’s draft stock somewhat this June. Experts consider him a potential second-round pick, but it’s possible he won’t be drafted if teams are at all concerned about his knee.
DraftExpress views Sumner as the 10th-best prospect among sophomores, penciling him in as a borderline first-round pick in the 2018 draft. Meanwhile, the 6’5″ guard ranks 68th on Chad Ford’s top 100 list at ESPN.com.
Sumner is making a big mistake. Stay one more year. This draft is full of great point guards and he is coming off of tearing his ACL. He should play one more year at Xavier to prove the ACL is no longer an issue, enhance his play, and then enter next years weaker point guard draft.
You’d think the people around him would be telling him the same thing, but I guess with the risk of re-injury/declining play post surgery could be the motivating factor for him.. If he comes back and isn’t the same player he has no shot at the league