Auburn star Chuma Okeke declares for NBA draft after ACL tear in NCAA tournament
After suffering a devastating ACL injury in the Sweet 16 ahead of Auburn’s Final Four run, Chuma Okeke has officially declared for the NBA draft.
According to ESPN, Okeke intends to hire an agent but will maintain his eligibility while rehabbing his knee injury at Auburn. As he is recovering from that ACL injury, he will not be able to actually participate in any pre-draft workout events or workout privately for any team hoping to evaluate him.
“After talking with my family, coach Pearl and the entire staff at Auburn, I have decided to declare for the 2019 NBA draft,” Okeke said on Instagram. “I want to thank God, my family, my coaches and teammates and the entire Auburn family for their continued support these past two seasons. I’m grateful for all that we have accomplished the past two seasons. Together, we’ve won championships and made history at Auburn.”
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said after Okeke’s injury that he was planning to declare for the draft anyway, according to Al.com, so this move isn’t a big surprise.
Okeke averaged 12 points and 6.8 rebounds this season while playing more than 29 minutes per game. He went down in their Sweet 16 matchup against North Carolina in the tournament and tore his ACL, which required surgery just days later. Okeke dropped 20 points and 11 rebounds in that game before going down.
While he arrived to their Elite Eight game just two days later just after halftime and in a wheelchair, Okeke’s presence sparked the Tigers past No. 2 Kentucky and to their first Final Four appearance in school history.
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