Drew Eubanks

Draft Notes: Ayton, Pinson, Spalding, Amius, Eubanks

DeAndre Ayton is the top pick in ESPN Jonathan Givony’s latest mock draft heading into the draft lottery on Tuesday. Givony has the Arizona center going to the Suns, Euro guard Luka Doncic being snapped up by the Grizzlies at No. 2 and Duke big man Marvin Bagley III heading to the Mavericks at No. 3. Naturally, the deck could be shuffled after Tuesday’s results. Michigan State big man Jaren Jackson Jr. (Hawks) and Texas center Mohamed Bamba (Magic) round out the Top 5.

In other draft-related developments:

  • North Carolina combo guard Theo Pinson will participate in the draft combine in Chicago, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports tweets. Pinson is ranked the No. 89 prospect on Givony’s latest Top 100. Louisville’s power forward Ray Spalding has also been invited, Charania reports in a separate tweet. Spalding is currently ranked No. 58 by Givony.
  • Western Carolina junior forward Mike Amius has hired an agent and will remain in the draft, Jeff Goodman of ESPN tweets. He averaged 12.7 PPG and 5.6 RPG last season. He is not among Givony’s Top 100 prospects.
  • Oregon State forward Drew Eubanks has signed with agent James Dunleavy and ISE Worldwide, Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal tweets. The junior averaged 13.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG for the Beavers last season.
  • The Suns will send Josh Jackson and the Kings will be represented by De’Aaron Fox at the draft lottery on Tuesday, Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report relays. The Nuggets’ Jamal Murray and the Pistons’ Luke Kennard are the other current players who will represent their teams in Chicago. The full list of representatives can be found in Conway’s story.

Draft Updates: McDowell-White, Milton, Eubanks, Schofield, Johnson

Australian guard William McDowell-White is declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft, Jonathan Givony of ESPN writes. McDowell-White is one of the premier talents in Europe, where he 12.5 PPG, 6.9 APG, 5.1 RPG and 2.1 SPG for Baunach in Pro A Germany.

“As a competitor, I am excited to enter the NBA draft and compete at the highest level,” McDowell-White said to ESPN. “I feel like I can contribute and help an NBA team win games. After a successful season in Europe, I have gained some great experience and developed as a player.”

The 19-year-old left his native Australia for Germany after he failed to secure academic eligibility to play for Fresno State two years ago. He is considered an above average playmaker who can effectively pass the ball and also hold his own on the defensive end with his 6’5″ frame. McDowell-White is ranked as the N0. 93 prospect in the ESPN Top 100.

Check out more notes pertaining to the 2018 NBA Draft:

  • SMU guard Shake Milton will forgo his senior season and declare for the NBA Draft, he announced on his Twitter. Milton, 21, has averaged 18.0 PPG and 4.4 APG in 22 contests with SMU this season. We previously relayed that Milton was considering declaring for the draft without hiring an agent so he could potentially return for his senior campaign. A recent ESPN mock draft had Milton falling to the Mavericks at 36th overall.
  • Oregon State junior forward Drew Eubanks will forgo his senior season enter the 2018 NBA Draft and hire an agent, according to the school’s website. “I would like to thank Oregon State University for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to grow and develop, both on and off the court,” he said. “My time at Oregon State has taught me many valuable life lessons. My coaches have instilled in me the belief that anything is possible, and my teammates became the brothers I never had. Go Beavs!” In 32 games, Eubanks averaged 13.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG.
  • Tennessee forward Admiral Schofield will test the NBA Draft waters but will not hire an agent, per an announcement from his Twitter. Schofield, in his junior season, has averaged 13.9 PPG and 6.4 RPG in over 28 minutes per contest.
  • Zach Johnson from Florida Gulf Coast will also enter the NBA Draft but will not hire an agent as to not compromise his future, he announced on Twitter. In his junior season, Johnson has averaged 16.1 PPG with 3.3 RPG and 3.0 RPG in 35 games (34 starts).

Draft Updates: Eubanks, Trimble, Simmons

Oregon State center Drew Eubanks has decided to enter his name into the 2017 draft pool, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical. A sophomore who is ranked 90th on Jonathan Givony’s big board at DraftExpress, Eubanks is keeping his options open by not hiring an agent, so it’s possible he’ll return to school for his junior year. He’ll have until May 24 to weigh his options and decide whether or not to withdraw.

Meanwhile, Eubanks’ teammate, sophomore shooting guard Stephen Thompson, will also test the draft waters, per Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Thompson ranks 75th on DraftExpress’ list of top sophomores, 54 spots behind Eubanks, so it would be a surprise if he doesn’t eventually withdraw his name and return to Oregon State for the 2017/18 season.

Here are a few more draft decisions worth noting:

  • Maryland junior point guard Melo Trimble has decided to enter the draft and will forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility by hiring an agent, per Jeff Ermann of 247Sports.com. Trimble tested the waters a year ago, but has decided to go pro this year. He’s ranked 92nd on the DraftExpress big board.
  • Ohio guard Jaaron Simmons announced this week that he intends to enter the 2017 draft, according to a press release from the school. The 22-year-old point guard won’t hire an agent, giving him a chance to withdraw later and return to Ohio for his senior year.
  • Providence forward Rodney Bullock will declare for the draft without hiring an agent, Goodman reports (via Twitter). Bullock, a junior, averaged 15.7 PPG and 6.4 RPG in 33 games this past season.
  • LIU Brooklyn freshman Jashaun Agosto announced on Twitter that he’s declaring for the 2017 draft. The 5’11” guard isn’t expected to be drafted.