Alex Len
Terrapins men’s basketball center Alex Len will forgo his final two years of eligibility and enter the NBA draft, the athletic department announced in a news release.
“I’m very grateful for the two years I’ve spent at Maryland and for everyone that has supported me during my time here,” Len said in the release. “It’s been an honor to play here and I’ve learned so much. I want to thank Coach [Mark] Turgeon and the coaching staff for believing in me and helping me grow as a player and a person. I also want to thank my teammates who were always there for me. We shared some great moments together. I’ve grown a lot, both on the court and off the court, over the past two years and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”
Len, who averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore this season, is expected to be the Terps’ first lottery pick since Chris Wilcox went No. 8 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2002. ESPN has him projected at No. 8 overall, Draft-Express.com has him at No. 11 and NBADraft.net has him going at No. 7.
“I’m very proud of Alex and am excited for what the future holds for him,” Turgeon said. “To see the progress he’s made on the court, in the classroom and socially has been a truly rewarding experience. Alex has worked incredibly hard since he got here and he has earned this opportunity.”
The 7-foot-1, 255-pound Ukrainian has until tomorrow to enter while still retaining the right to withdraw his name from the draft. The final date to declare eligibility for the 2013 NBA draft is April 28.
Len and Turgeon will address the media at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.
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