In a statement just released by the Syracuse University athletic
communications department, Syracuse freshman Donte Greene will enter
the NBA draft.
Greene spoke with Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim today and informed him of his desire to enter the NBA draft.
In the statement, Greene says, "After discussing my future plans
with my family and Coach Boeheim today, I've decided to declare for the
NBA draft. The Syracuse coaching staff is going to gather information
on my behalf and help begin that process."
The NBA draft will take place on June 26. Greene had until April 27
to enter his name in the draft. Greene can withdraw his name from the
draft and return to Syracuse for his sophomore season as long as he
does not sign with an agent. The deadline for college underclassmen to
withdraw from the draft is June 16.
Syracuse University athletic communications director Pete Moore said that Greene has not signed with an agent.
Greene, a 6-foot-11 forward, averaged 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this past season for Syracuse.
He is seen by most NBA scouts and analysts as a mid-first round pick
in the 12 to 20 range. Boeheim told the Post-Standard a little over a
week ago that if Greene returned to school and had a dominant sophomore
season, he could be a top five pick in the 2009 NBA draft.