Oklahoma prodigy Trae Young declares for 2018 NBA Draft
Oklahoma's Trae Young announced Tuesday he is declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft, officially confirming the widely-held suspicion that the dynamic playmaker was not long for the collegiate world.
"I've been preparing most of my life to join the NBA, and that time has come for me now: After an unforgettable year at the University of Oklahoma, I will enter the June NBA draft and fully immerse myself in the pursuit of a pro basketball career," Young told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The nation's leading scorer (27.4 points) and assist man (8.8 assists) had a rocky freshman campaign at Oklahoma. With Young initially raining down 3-pointers like manna from heaven, the Sooners started the year 12-1. However, the "next coming of Stephen Curry" declarations began to fade as opponents learned how to stymie his singular dynamism, exposing the rather inconsistent rotation around him.
Oklahoma finished the season with an ugly 6-13 swoon, culminating in their first-round loss to Rhode Island at the NCAA tournament. Nevertheless, Young is still considered a heavy favorite to go within the top 10 of this year's draft.
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"I know there will be doubts again as I prepare for the draft," said Young. "I don't pretend to be ready to play in the NBA today, but I am determined to do what I've always done: invest in the work to prepare for the league and the incredible challenges it presents."