After testing the 2018 NBA draft waters without an agent, Florida shooting guard Jalen Hudson intends to withdraw and return to the Gators for his senior year, according to his father (Twitter link via Jon Rothstein of FanRag Sports). Hudson confirmed his decision to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman (Twitter link).
Hudson, who turned 22 last week, started his college career at Virginia Tech before transferring to Florida for his junior year. In his first season with the Gators in 2017/18, the 6’6″ guard averaged 15.5 PPG and 3.9 RPG with a shooting line of .455/.404/.662.
The No. 45 prospect on Jonathan Givony’s top-100 list at ESPN.com, Hudson wasn’t considered likely to be a first-round pick, though he appeared to have a decent chance to be drafted — Givony had the Gator coming off the board at No. 55 in his most recent mock draft. Rather than take his chances in this year’s second round though, Hudson will look to improve his draft stock before he becomes automatically eligible in 2019.
NCAA early entrants have until Wednesday to withdraw from the 2018 draft if they want to retain their college eligibility.