In a Monday evening release, the Indiana men’s basketball program announced James Blackmon Jr. will declare for the NBA Draft, but won’t hire an agent.
From the release:
“James is going to test the waters and see where he stands in the eyes of the NBA at this time,” Tom Crean said. “He is going to go through the process with both eyes open with the goal of receiving the most complete and current evaluation possible.”
Blackmon Jr.’s decision to not hire an agent allows him the option to attend next month’s draft combine (if invited) in Chicago (May 11-15) and interview and work out for NBA teams while still being able to return to the Hoosiers next season.
The sophomore will get 10 days after the draft combine to make a decision on whether to stay in the draft or return for his junior season.
The Marion product played in just 13 games a sophomore before suffering a season-ending right knee ACL injury on the Monday before Indiana’s Big Ten opener at Rutgers.
Blackmon Jr. tore his left ACL while during his sophomore season at Fort Wayne Luers and also suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee this past offseason in Bloomington.
He averaged 15.8 points per game and shot 46.3 percent on 3-pointers in his second season.
Indiana junior forward Troy Williams has also declared for the NBA draft without hiring an agent while Thomas Bryant and OG Anunoby both announced they will return to school next season.
Filed to: James Blackmon Jr.