/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59325151/usa_today_10563341.0.jpg)
Earlier this spring, Miami Hurricanes G Bruce Brown Jr. declared for the NBA draft.
Miami Hurricanes G Bruce Brown Jr. declares for NBA draft, will not hire agent. #Canes #TheU https://t.co/D2vVDkuhcM pic.twitter.com/jzCczAcDdE
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) March 22, 2018
As stated in the above-embedded tweet, Brown Jr’s initial decision was to enter the draft but not hire an agent. That move left open the possibility of the talented 22 year old to return to Coral Gables for his junior season.
All that changed today, however, when it was reported by Michael A Scotto of The Athletic that Brown Jr. would in fact hire an agent, ending his collegiate eligibility.
Miami sophomore guard Bruce Brown will remain in the NBA draft and will hire an agent, league sources told The Athletic.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 9, 2018
This was confirmed in a second report by Jeff Goodman of ESPN.
Miami’s Bruce Brown will keep his name in for NBA Draft and sign with agent, ESPN has confirmed. First by @MikeAScotto
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 9, 2018
Further confirmation of Brown Jr.’s move to hire an agent and forego his final 2 years of collegiate eligibility was obtained by Matt Porter of The Palm Beach Post and Michelle Kaufman of The Miami Herald.
Brown Jr. joins teammate G Lonnie Walker IV in signing an agent to both end his collegiate career and cements his status in the NBA Draft.
This move shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Brown Jr. has been looked at as a lottery talent for the NBA for 2 years, and he has shown flashes of that kind of production and talent. He’s also battled injuries and uneven play, which while it may be a factor for some saying he should stay in college, I view it differently.
Brown is older than most prospects of his classification, and he’s smart to go after the NBA money now before he sustains more injuries and potentially risks having his draft stock fall further (if you believe it has fallen this year).
And thus ends the collegiate career of Bruce Brown Jr.
Thanks for the memories.
All the best as you move into the NBA.