Today was the last day that fence-sitting underclassman had to decide whether they wanted to remain in this year’s NBA draft or to pull out.
And two key international point guards, Patrick Mills and Greivis Vasquez, made their decisions today. This year’s draft is point-guard heavy; already including ballhandling prospects Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson, Stephon Curry, Jrue Holiday, and Jonny Flynn.
Aussie point guard Patrick Mills, who made a splash in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, kept his name in the hat. The speedy 5-11 Sophomore at St. Johns is expected to be drafted somewhere in the late first round.
Other underclassmen that decided to remain in the 2009 draft were Austin Daye of Gonzaga, Jeff Teague from Georgia Tech, Jodie Meeks of Kentucky, and Chinemelu Elonu of Texas A&M.
Another international point guard decided to pull his name out. Greivis Vasquez of Venezuela, the mouthy 6-5 guard that pulled off a triple double regular season win against eventual champions North Carolina will be back in a Maryland jersey for his Senior Year.
Junior Luke Harangody will return for his Senior year at Notre Dame. Devan Downey (South Carolina) and Scottie Reynolds (Villanova) will also remain at their respective schools.
The 2009 NBA Draft is Thursday, June 25th, 2009.
Links and Resources: Maryland’s Vasquez Withdraws From NBA Draft (Washington Post), Brandon Jennings thinks Rubio is overrated (Interbasket), Greivis Vasquez’s triple double upsets #3 North Carolina (Interbasket), Patrick Mills Olympic Profile (Interbasket)