Projected first-round pick Tari Eason to hire agent, enter NBA draft

Eason was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.1 blocks and one assist in 33 games.

LSU Tigers sophomore Tari Eason told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he will hire an agent and declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Eason was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.1 blocks and one assist in 33 games. He recorded four games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, the most by a Tigers player since 2015.

The 6-foot-8 forward emerged as a tremendous defensive player this season, ranking fourth in the country in defensive rating (83.2) and fifth in defensive box plus/minus (5.7). He was one of 10 players named as a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

Eason is projected to be selected late in the lottery by most mock drafts. He is also highly efficient, boasting a 33.4 PER, which ranked fifth in the country, and is improving as a shooter after converting on 35.9% on 2.4 attempts per game from 3-point range.

Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the NBA draft.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=73706,73598,45042]

[mm-video type=video id=01fz0vhkvneprhd3dm82 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fz0vhkvneprhd3dm82/01fz0vhkvneprhd3dm82-7a92b7a8ecafed7f58f6ee5fd37c8d07.jpg]

[listicle id=48513]