INDIANAPOLIS — Gordon Hayward couldn’t quite say no to the NBA’s money. He still hasn’t said goodbye to his Butler teammates, either.
The 6-foot-9 sophomore said Wednesday he would enter the NBA draft while retaining his option of returning to the school he nearly led to a national championship.
Hayward has until May 8 to withdraw his name from the draft. He is projected to go in the top 15 picks and would become the first Butler player selected in the first round.
Hayward led the Bulldogs with 15.5 points per game and into the school’s first national championship game, a 61-59 loss to Duke.
Also declaring for the draft while retaining their college eligibility were center JaJuan Johnson and guard E’Twaun Moore of Purdue. DePaul forward Mac Koshwal will not return for his senior season.
Footnotes.
Rutgers guard Mike Rosario has been granted a conditional release so he can transfer, meaning the Scarlet Knights can approve which school he attends.
• Wright State promoted assistant Billy Donlon to head coach a day after losing Brad Brownell to Clemson.
• Nebraska signed former Oregon guard Kamyron Brown to a letter of intent along with junior college All-American Caleb Walker.
The Associated Press
