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)
Rasir will not be Bolton for the NBA
Honest question – how lucrative is it for a guy like Trey McGowens to play overseas? Even with all the subjectivism of the top 100 draft prospects, if he’s not on that list he’s not getting drafted by the NBA. What are the advantages to a guy like that going pro as opposed to playing a final year in college and trying to raise his stock some?
Thanks in advance for any answers!