Who’s in and who’s out? The 2019 NBA Draft Early Entry List

Updated: March 31, 2019 | 1:00pm

The end of the college basketball season carries with it the beginning of underclassmen declaring their NBA Draft intentions.

With the ability of underclassmen to go through the pre-draft process and combine, gaining valuable insight from NBA scouts without relinquishing their college eligibility, the list of those declaring for the NBA Draft grows by the year. Note that NCAA players can declare and withdraw from the draft twice without forfeiting their college eligibility.

Players have until 11:59 pm ET on April 21 to declare for the 2019 NBA Draft. Players who hire an agent immediately forfeit their remaining collegiate eligibility (although plans are in the works and waiting to be ratified by the NBA and NBPA which would allow undrafted players to retain college eligibility after going through an Undergraduate Advisory Committee evaluation). Players who don’t hire an agent have until May 29 (10 days after the NBA Draft Combine ends) to withdraw and return to college.

Players are divided into one of the following four lists and will be updated regularly as new information becomes available:

1. Those who are IN THE DRAFT (have declared for the draft and signed [or intend to sign] with an agent)
2. Those who are TESTING THE WATERS (have declared for the draft but not signed with an agent)
3. Those who are RETURNING TO COLLEGE (have declared their intention to return to school and not enter the draft)
4. Those who we are still WAITING TO HEAR FROM (have NBA potential but have not announced a decision one way or the other)

Each declaration is painstakingly researched to make sure you are supplied with the most up-to-date and accurate player information. You won’t find any “according to a source” in this article. Accompanying each player, you’ll find a hyperlink to his declaration, a press release from the school or other official announcement.

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IN THE DRAFT
** = Hiring agent while maintaining college eligibility

1. Bol Bol | Oregon | Freshman | C | 7’2” | 235lb | Link 1 | Link 2
2. Ky Bowman | Boston College | Junior | G | 6’1” | 188lb | Link
3. Yoeli Childs | BYU | Junior | F | 6’8” | 225lb | Link
4. **CJ Elleby | Washington State | Freshman | F | 6’6” | 200lb | Link
5. Daniel Gafford | Arkansas | Sophomore | F | 6’11” | 233lb | Link
6. Darius Garland | Vanderbilt | Freshman | G | 6’2” | 175lb | Link 1| Link 2
7. Dewan Hernandez | Miami | Junior | F | 6’11” | 236lb | Link 1| Link 2
8. Amir Hinton | Shaw (D2) | Junior | G | 6’5” | 190lb | Link 
9. Romeo Langford | Indiana | Freshman | G | 6’6” | 215lb | Link
10. Nassir Little | North Carolina | Freshman | F | 6’6” | 220lb | Link 1 | Link 2
11. Skylar Mays | LSU | Junior | G | 6’4” | 200lb | Link 1 | Link 2
12. Jalen McDaniels | San Diego State | RS Sophomore | G | 5’9” | 160lb | Link
13. Ja Morant | Murray State | Sophomore | G | 6’3” | 175lb | Link 1 | Link 2
14. Miye Oni | Yale | Junior | G | 6’6” | 210lb | Link 1| Link 2
15. Shamorie Ponds | St. John’s | Junior | G | 6’1” | 180lb | Link 1| Link 2
16. Isaiah Reese | Canisius | Junior | G | 6’5” | 185lb | Link
17. Naz Reid | LSU | Freshman | F | 6’10” | 250lb | Link 1 | Link 2
18. Simi Shittu | Vanderbilt | Freshman | F/C | 6’10” | 240lb | Link 1 | Link 2
19. Tremont Waters | LSU | Sophomore | G | 5’11” | 175lb | Link 1 | Link 2
20. Coby White | North Carolina | Freshman | G | 6’5” | 185lb | Link 1 | Link 2
21. Lindell Wigginton | Iowa State | Sophomore | G | 6’2” | 189lb | Link 1 | Link 2
22. Kris Wilkes | UCLA | Sophomore | G | 6’8” | 215lb | Link 1| Link 2

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TESTING THE WATERS
* = Waiting on confirmation of declaration

1. Bryce Aiken | Harvard | Junior | G | 6’0” | 175lb | Link
2. *Tyus Battle | Syracuse | Junior | G | 6’6” | 205lb
3. Jordan Bone | Tennessee | Junior | G | 6’3” | 180lb | Link 1 | Link 2
4. Oshae Brissett | Syracuse | Sophomore | F | 6’8” | 210lb | Link
5. Charlie Brown, Jr. | Saint Joseph’s | RS Sophomore | F | 6’7” | 199lb | Link
6. Steven Enoch | Louisville | RS Junior | C | 6’10” | 260lb | Link 1| Link 2
7. Talen Horton-Tucker | Iowa State | Freshman | G | 6’4” | 233lb | Link 1 | Link 2
8. Nathan Knight | William & Mary | Junior | F/C | 6’10” | 245lb | Link 1| Link 2
9. Sagaba Konate | West Virginia | Junior | F | 6’8” | 250lb | Link
10. Jaylen Nowell | Washington | Sophomore | G | 6’4” | 200lb | Link 1 | Link 2
11. Jordan Nwora | Louisville | Sophomore | F | 6’7” | 225lb | Link
12. Reggie Perry | Mississippi State | Freshman | F | 6’10” | 245lb | Link 1 | Link 2 
13. *Jontay Porter | Missouri | Sophomore | F | 6’11” | 240lb
14. Myles Powell | Seton Hall | Junior | G | 6’2” | 195lb | Link 1 | Link 2
15. Samir Sehic | Tulane | RS Junior | F | 6’9” | 235lb | Link
16. Derrik Smits | Valparaiso (Transfer) | RS Junior | C | 7’1” | 240lb | Link 1| Link 2
17. Jimmy Whitt, Jr. | SMU | Junior | G | 6’3” | 175lb | Link

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsjvyY-gstj/

RETURNING TO COLLEGE

1. John Petty | Alabama | Sophomore | G | 6’5” | 197lb | Link
2. LaMont West | West Virginia (transferring to Missouri State) | Junior | F | 6’8” | 222lb | Link

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bty1jsLgEEP/

WAITING TO HEAR FROM

1. Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Virginia Tech | Sophomore | G | 6’5” | 205lb
2. Udoka Azubuike | Kansas | Junior | C | 7’0” | 270lb
3. Geo Baker | Rutgers | Sophomore | G | 6’4” | 180lb
4. RJ Barrett | Duke | Freshman | F | 6’7” | 202lb
5. Charles Bassey | Western Kentucky | Freshman | F | 6’11” | 245lb
6. Darius Bazley | 1 year removed from high school | F | 6’9” | 200lb
7. Marques Bolden | Duke | Junior | C | 6’11” | 250lb
8. Brian Bowen | Sydney Kings (Australia) | F | 6’7” | 190lb
9. Ignas Brazdeikis | Michigan | Freshman | F | 6’7” | 215lb
10. Jordan Brown | Nevada | Freshman | F | 6’11” | 210lb
11. Moses Brown | UCLA | Freshman | C | 7’1” | 245lb
12. Taeshon Cherry | Arizona State | Freshman | F | 6’8” | 210lb
13. Brandon Clarke | Gonzaga | RS Junior | F | 6’8” | 215lb
14. Tyler Cook | Iowa | Junior | F | 6’9” | 250lb
15. Jarrett Culver | Texas Tech | Sophomore | G | 6’6” | 195lb
16. Silvio De Sousa | Kansas | Sophomore | F | 6’9” | 245lb
17. Luguentz Dort | Arizona State | Freshman | G | 6’4” | 215lb
18. Ayo Dosunmu | Illinois | Freshman | G | 6’5” | 185lb
19. Devon Dotson | Kansas | Freshman | G | 6’2” | 185lb
20. Carsen Edwards | Purdue | Junior | G | 6’1” | 200lb
21. Bruno Fernando | Maryland | Sophomore | F | 6’10” | 240lb
22. Quade Green | Kentucky | Freshman | G | 6’1” | 170lb
23. Quentin Grimes | Kansas | Freshman | G | 6’5” | 210lb
24. Kyle Guy | Virginia | Junior | G | 6’2” | 175lb
25. Rui Hachimura | Gonzaga | Junior | F | 6’8” | 230lb
26. Ashton Hagans | Kentucky | Freshman | G | 6’3” | 192lb
27. Jaxson Hayes | Texas | Freshman | F | 6’11” | 220lb
28. Tyler Herro | Kentucky | Freshman | G | 6’5” | 195lb
29. Jaylen Hoard | Wake Forest | Freshman | F | 6’8” | 215lb
30. Daulton Hommes | Point Loma (D2) | Junior | G | 6’8” | 215lb
31. Markus Howard | Marquette | Junior | G | 5’11” | 175lb
32. De’Andre Hunter | Virginia | RS Sophomore | G | 6’7” | 225lb
33. Ty Jerome | Virginia | Junior | G | 6’5” | 195lb
34. Keldon Johnson | Kentucky | Freshman | G | 6’6” | 211lb
35. Herbert Jones | Alabama | Sophomore | G | 6’7” | 206lb
36. Tre Jones | Duke | Freshman | G | 6’2” | 183lb
37. Braxton Key | Virginia | Junior | G | 6’8” | 225lb
38. Louis King | Oregon | Freshman | F | 6’9” | 205lb
39. VJ King | Louisville | Junior | G/F | 6’6” | 215lb
40. Joshua Langford | Michigan State | Junior | G | 6’5” | 210lb
41. Dedric Lawson | Kansas | RS Junior | F | 6’9” | 235lb
42. Jalen Lecque | High School (5^th Year Senior) | G | 6’4” | 190lb
43. Kalob Ledoux | Louisiana Tech | Junior | G | 6’3” | 190lb
44. EJ Montgomery | Kentucky | Freshman | F | 6’10” | 225lb
45. Zach Norvell, Jr. | Gonzaga | RS Sophomore | G | 6’5” | 205lb
46. Chuma Okeke | Auburn | Sophomore | F | 6’8” | 230lb
47. KZ Okpala | Stanford | Sophomore | F | 6’9” | 215lb
48. Lamar Peters | Mississippi State | Junior | G | 6’0” | 185lb
49. Jordan Poole | Michigan | Sophomore | G | 6’5” | 195lb
50. Kevin Porter, Jr. | USC | Freshman | G | 6’6” | 218lb
51. Payton Pritchard Oregon | Junior | G | 6’2” | 195lb
52. Danjel Purifoy | Auburn | Junior | F | 6’7” | 230lb
53. Neemias Queta | Utah State | Freshman | C | 6’11” | 240lb
54. Cam Reddish | Duke | Freshman | F | 6’8” | 218lb
55. Paul Reed | DePaul | Sophomore | F | 6’9” | 210lb
56. AJ Reeves | Providence | Freshman | G | 6’6” | 210lb
57. Nick Richards | Kentucky | Sophomore | F | 6’11” | 244lb
58. Isaiah Roby | Nebraska | Junior | F | 6’8” | 230lb
59. Javonte Smart | LSU | Freshman | G | 6’4” | 200lb
60. Jalen Smith | Maryland | Freshman | F | 6’10” | 215lb
61. Xavier Sneed | Kansas State | Junior | F | 6’5” | 220lb
62. Killian Tillie | Gonzaga | Junior | F | 6’10” | 220lb
63. Nick Ward | Michigan State | Junior | F | 6’9” | 245lb
64. PJ Washington | Kentucky | Sophomore | F | 6’8” | 228lb
65. Nick Weatherspoon | Mississippi State | Sophomore | G | 6’2” | 195lb
66. Austin Wiley | Auburn | Junior | C | 6’11” | 260lb
67. Grant Williams | Tennessee | Junior | F | 6’7” | 236lb
68. Zion Williamson | Duke | Freshman | F | 6’7” | 285lb
69. Cassius Winston | Michigan State | G | 6’1” | 185lb
70. Kenny Wooten | Oregon | Sophomore | F | 6’9” | 235lb
71. Omer Yurtseven | Georgetown | Junior | C | 7’0” | 275lb

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Remember to check back regularly as this article will be updated with each player announcement.

If you have updated information, please contact Isaac Schade (@isaacschade | isaacschade@gmail.com).

Quick Hitters – UNC vs. Auburn (NCAA Tournament – Sweet 16)

Quick Hitters from North Carolina’s 97-80 season-ending loss to Auburn on Friday evening in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Highlights:

• What a fun season it’s been. This team really took us on a ride; rounding into form by winning 17 out of 19 games prior to this loss. That streak lead to a shared ACC regular season championship. The only two losses in those 19 games were to fellow one seeds Duke and Virginia.
• The abrupt and harsh ending that the NCAA Tournament delivers is always jarring. The unexpected loss will put a sour taste in the mouth of Tar Heel fans for some time. Seeing Kenny Williams on the sideline in tears after checking out for the final time is one of the most heartbreaking images you’ll ever see.
• Who would have thought that the unheralded class of Kenny Williams and Luke Maye would wind up as one of the most accomplished classes in the history of North Carolina basketball? But that’s where we find ourselves. This is a credit to the coaching staff. It’s high time that the college basketball world begins to fully appreciate Roy Williams for the coach that he is.

Kenny – Cam – Luke

Thank you 🙏 pic.twitter.com/1yNKL29Yhj

— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 30, 2019

• While not as talented as the 2012 team, the external injury circumstances that led to that teams’ demise seem to have struck again this year at just the wrong time in the form of Nassir Little and Cam Johnson’s illness, Coby White’s tweaked ankle, and Kenny Williams’ hamstring.

• At the same time, those are excuses and take away from Auburn’s three-point barrage in the second half. Fully healthy or not, Carolina simply didn’t have the defensive answers to slow down what the Tigers did after halftime.
• Going back to the illnesses / injuries, it was clear that Little and Johnson were not themselves on Friday night. Little did not have his usual otherworldly explosion to the rim – he was blocked twice on dunks that would never have happened on a normal night. Johnson, will still tying for the team lead in scoring and having three steals, seemed a step behind all night. After tweaking his ankle five minutes before halftime, Coby White stayed in the game but didn’t possess his usual blow-by capabilities.

After making all 35 of his dunks this season, Nas Little is 0-2 on dunks tonight.

— Adrian Atkinson (@FreeportKid) March 30, 2019

• By hitting two three-pointers in his final game, Cam Johnson finished the season with 96, the second most in a single season in Carolina history. What a pick-up he was for Roy Williams’ club over the previous two years. With all due respect to Pittsburgh and their program, Johnson is a Tar Heel.
• The Tar Heels finish the season with 312 made three-pointers as a team, the most in program history for a single season.
• Unfortunately, the story on this night was Auburn’s three-point shooting. After Carolina did a reasonable job guarding deep shots in the first half, the Tigers exploded for 12 threes after halftime (on just 18 attempts).
• Coming into the game, rebounding appeared to be a plus for the Tar Heels, while three-point shooting was a plus for the Tigers. Curiously, Auburn matched Carolina in rebounds in the first half (21) while Carolina matched Auburn in threes in the first half (five).
• With many players struggling to make baskets, it was great to see Kenny Williams shoot well in his final collegiate game. The senior finished with 10 points, including hitting two threes. The Tar Heels will struggle to replace his defensive grit and determination next season.
• Hard to believe but Luke Maye finishes his career with the 10^th most rebounds in Carolina history (942). He also recorded 377 rebounds this season, the seventh most in a single season in the Tar Heel record book. Maye is the only player in program history to have two entries in the single-season top 10 rebounding list. Maye finishes his career tied with Kris Lang for 39^th on the all-time Carolina scoring list with 1392 points.

• After dominating their first two NCAA Tournament opponents on the glass, Carolina could not take advantage of a poor rebounding Auburn team, only holding a 40-36 advantage in that category.
• What contrasting styles between the North Carolina / Auburn game and the Texas Tech / Michigan game from Thursday night. The Heels and Tigers had combined for 14 points just 1:45 into the game. The Red Raiders and Wolverines took 10:39 to achieve the same.
• Other than back-to-back ill-advised shots around the 6:00 mark, when Carolina seemed poised to make a last push, Brandon Robinson had another solid showing. He finished with nine points, hit two threes, grabbed four rebounds, had three assists, and zero turnovers (against a team build to force them). Robinson’s continued development over the summer will be an important key to Carolina’s success in 2019-20.

• Carolina didn’t play a great first half, but did enough to put themselves in position to take over in the second half (similar to the Iona game). However, a 14-0 run from Auburn that spanned the end of the first half and beginning of the second half gave the Tigers a lead they would never relinquish. The Heels never again got any closer than six.
• The part of the game that you hate to see: Auburn’s Chuma Okeke suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee with 8:08 left in the game. Okeke’s knee buckled as he drove to the basket. While he eventually hobbled off the court under his own power, the injury had the appearance of an ACL issue. Best wishes to Okeke in his recovery.

Roy Williams, Kenny Williams, Luke Maye post-game press conference:

While there will sadly be no more Quick Hitters this season, stay tuned throughout the off-season for updates on recruiting decisions, potential transfers, NBA early entry decisions, roster composition for 2019-20, and more.

On a personal note, thanks so much for continuing to read my work. I love getting to write about North Carolina basketball and would do it just for myself, but it’s an honor to do it for others as well. I’m so thankful for everyone who reaches out to say how much they enjoy reading. Your kindness is overwhelming.

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Quick Hitters – UNC vs. Washington (NCAA Tournament – 2nd Round)

Quick Hitters from North Carolina’s 81-59 win over Washington on Sunday afternoon in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Highlights:

• The Tar Heels advance to the Sweet 16 for the 29^th time in program history; the most all-time. While a Sweet 16 appearance is not the ultimate goal, let’s keep it in perspective: There are only 16 of the 353 D1 men’s basketball teams still playing and Carolina is one of them. That never gets old. See for yourself:

• Cameron Johnson made three more three-pointers to run his season total to 94. That ties him with Marcus Paige (2014-15) for the third most in a single season in Carolina history. In second place is Shammond Williams with 95.
• Luke Maye just keeps piling up career accolades. Against Washington, Maye set NCAA Tournament career highs in both points (20) and rebounds (14). His 20 points move him into 40^th on the all-time Carolina scoring list (1379). His 14 rebounds move him into 11^th on the all-time Carolina rebounding list (935). If Maye grabs seven rebounds against Auburn, he’ll move past Eric Montross into 10^th.
• Wrap your brain around this: Luke Maye is the only person in program history to have two entries on the Carolina single season top ten rebounding list. Maye now has 370 rebounds this season; ninth-most in a single season for a Tar Heel. The next person Maye would pass on that list is…himself from last season. Depending on how far the Heels go in the NCAA Tournament, Maye has a shot at recording just the second 400 rebound season in Carolina history (Brice Johnson – 416 in 2015-16).
• The Tar Heels have been dominant on the boards thus far in the NCAA Tournament. Iona? Doubled them up (52-26). Washington? Doubled them up as well (48-24). That’s a total of 100 rebounds for Carolina vs. just 50 for their opponents.
• A couple scary injury moments in this one. Garrison Brooks took an elbow to the mouth in the first half, which damaged two of his teeth and required stitches. Brooks missed the rest of the first half while being attended to, but came back out and had a solid second half. Not coincidentally, thanks to Brooks’ steady defense, his first half absence was the only point at which it seemed like Washington could potentially make a run.

We tougher than most where I’m from #334

— Gee (@__garro) March 24, 2019

• The other injury occurred in the opening moments of the second half when Kenny Williams got a steal on Washington’s first possession. Unfortunately, he appeared to tweak his left hamstring. After being evaluated, Williams eventually returned to the game. Thankfully he has several days to recover before playing Auburn on Friday night.
• Don’t look now, but Nassir Little is rising (#NassirRising). With 19 points against Iona and 20 against Washington, he has his highest two game scoring output of his Tar Heel career. There was a stretch in the second half when he scored 11 straight for Carolina, including a monster block.

• Coby White broke out of his shooting slump early and often. He hit 4-for-5 from three in the first 11 minutes of the game. White finished with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal and several drives to the hoop against a defense geared at “stopping three-pointers and layups”.

• White wasn’t the only player to shoot better from deep. As a team the Tar Heels shot 9-for-21 (42.9 percent) from three, the best percentage since playing Wake Forest on February 16.
• As per usual, Carolina played great zone offense, sharing the ball and operating out of the opening at the free throw line. Quietly, Cam Johnson had seven assists and zero turnovers. This was the most assists he’s had as a Tar Heel and tied his career high.
• Once or twice a game, Carolina will execute a picture-perfect fast break. With 11:20 to go before halftime, Nassir Little grabbed a rebound, threw a long outlet pass to Cameron Johnson, who hit Brandon Robinson for the lay-up.
• This Tar Heel team is really difficult to guard because the scoring comes from so many different players and in so many different ways. In five of the last six games, at least four Tar Heels scored in double figures.
• Washington scored the first bucket of the second half to cut the Carolina lead to five. From there, the Heels went on a 13-0 run over the next 4:30 to push the lead to 18. Washington would never again get within single digits. That is how an experienced team closes an NCAA Tournament game.

Roy Williams, Luke Maye, Cameron Johnson postgame press conference:

Remember to check in for Quick Hitters after every North Carolina basketball game. Next up is the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament against Auburn on Friday, March 29. Tip is at 7:29ET on TBS.

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