This one hurts.
The fifth Tiger to exit, freshman standout guard Cameron Thomas, who led the SEC in scoring and averaged 23 points a game, plans to enter the NBA draft, per his tweet Thursday.
Just last week sophomore forward Trendon Watford, junior forward Darius Days, and junior point guard Javonte Smart put their names in the two-round, 60-player draft that is to be held July 29.
Among these Tigers, Thomas is the highest-rated draft prospect, with the NBADraft.net projecting him to go 24th to Houston.
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“I am declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft and intend to sign with an agent,” Thomas stated.
Both Watford and Days are less likely to get drafted, and Days does not plan to hire an agent. Neither of the two are ranked among the top 60 draft prospects, but still have hopes of getting their shot in the league this upcoming season.
With no agent, Days could possibly return for his senior season. Tiger fans would love one last go-round with the dominant Days, that’s for sure.
Smart is highly ranked, and is projected as a possible second-round pick.
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Also expected to leave LSU is sophomore guard Aundre Hyatt, but not for the same reason as the others. Hyatt has entered the transfer portal per his former coach, Danny Manuel.
Hyatt is currently speaking to Georgia, Cincinnati, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Boston College and Penn State, these are among the schools he is interested in, according to Manuel.
There is still a possibility that Hyatt could return to LSU, but it is looking unlikely.
With Thomas and Smart both leaving, Hyatt’s playing time was expected to increase.
Thomas was No.13 in field goal percentage at .405 and was third in 3-point field goals made at 63. Thomas also led the SEC in free throw percentage with an impressive .880.
“Attending LSU has put me in the position to live out my lifelong dream of becoming a professional basketball player at the highest level,” Thomas said in his tweet.
Best of luck to the freshman sensation. His future is certainly bright.
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