Draft notebook: Georgia F Claxton declares for NBA

Georgia forward Nic Claxton announced Friday that he is declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-11 Claxton averaged 13.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots in 32 games as a sophomore while being named second-team All-SEC.

"I want to thank my family, coaches, and trainers for always believing in me and pushing me to be the best player and person that I can be," Claxton said in his declaration statement. "I want to thank Dawg Nation for welcoming me with open arms. No matter what, I will always be a Georgia Bulldog for life."

Claxton left open the possibility of returning to Georgia for his junior season. He is currently viewed as a second-round draft choice.

--Kentucky freshman forward EJ Montgomery announced he will enter the draft but will return to school if he doesn't receive a first-round draft grade. He has until May 29 to withdraw his entry.

"I have sat down with Coach Cal (John Calipari) and my family and decided to take full advantage of the rules that are in place and enter my name in the draft process," he said. "My goal is to be a first-rounder. If the information I receive supports that, my plan is to stay in the draft and pursue my dreams of playing in the NBA."

He becomes the fourth Kentucky underclassman to declare for the June draft, joining sophomore forward PJ Washington and freshman guards Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro.

A 6-foot-10 forward from Florida, Montgomery appeared in 37 games (10 starts) for Kentucky in the 2018-19 season. He averaged 15.1 minutes per game, scoring 3.8 points and grabbing 4.1 rebounds.

--Forward Nick Ward, who has played in 104 games over three seasons for the Michigan State, announced he is entering the NBA draft.

Ward was evaluated in the draft process last year but decided to return to school.

In the 2018-19 season, he averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Point guard Cassius Winston, the Big Ten Player of the Year, announced he will return to the Spartans for his senior season.

--Vermont junior forward Anthony Lamb, the America East player of the year, also announced he will enter the draft.

The 6-foot-6 Lamb played in 32 games for the Catamounts, averaging 21.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.6 minutes per game.

--Western Kentucky freshman center Charles Bassey is entering the draft, the school announced.

Bassey will consider a return for his sophomore season, according to the school.

The 6-foot-11 Bassey averaged 14.6 points, 10 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots. He led Conference USA with 17 double-doubles.

--Field Level Media