Syracuse University’s Dion Waiters has decided to leave school early and enter the NBA draft.
Waiters, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, said he intended to sign with an agent. Signing with an agent would make Waiters ineligible to return to college.
"I've decided to pursue my dream of becoming a professional basketball player by entering my name in the NBA Draft this spring,’’ Waiters said in a statement released by Syracuse University’s athletic communications department. “I plan on signing with an agent.’’
Waiters averaged 12.7 points per game this past season for a Syracuse team that went 34-3 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s East Region finals. The Orange lost to Ohio State in the Elite Eight in Boston on Saturday.
Waiters was the Orange’s second-leading scorer even though he didn’t start a game this past season. He played just 24.2 minutes per game and was named the Big East’s Sixth Man of the Year.
"I want to thank my coaches and my teammates,’’ Waiters said. “I've had an amazing experience at Syracuse University. I also want to thank all the Syracuse basketball fans. They are the best in college basketball."