Florida Gators guard Jalen Hudson declares for NBA draft, won't hire agent
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida guard Jalen Hudson, the team's leading scorer this season, has declared for the NBA draft.
Hudson made the announcement on his Instagram page Tuesday, saying he won't hire an agent at this time. Not doing so leaves open the possibility that Hudson could return for his senior year.
The 6-foot-6 Hudson averaged 15.5 points in his first season with the Gators. He transferred to Florida in 2016 after playing two years at Virginia Tech, where he averaged 7.7 points in 67 games. Hudson has played in 101 games between the two schools, scoring 1,043 points and shooting 37 percent from 3-point range.
He sat out the 2016-17 season under NCAA transfer rules, but was often Florida's best player in practice. He proved that this season, shooting 45.5 percent from the field and hitting a team-high 78 3-pointers.
"Over the next few weeks, I will continue to weigh my options and make the best decision for myself and my family," Hudson wrote.
If Hudson does turn pro, it would be a big loss for coach Mike White. The Gators already will be without senior guards Chris Chiozza and Egor Koulechov next season. Hudson, Koulechov and Chiozza were the team's top three scorers in 2017-18. Koulechov also led the team in rebounding, and Chiozza was tops in the Southeastern Conference with 208 assists.
Florida also will lose senior John Egbunu, who announced Tuesday that he will not seek a medical exemption after missing the entire season following knee surgery.
Egbunu tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in February 2017 and had several setbacks while trying to return this season.
The 6-foot-11 center and former South Florida transfer averaged 10.0 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Gators. He also blocked 84 shots. His 75 dunks during the 2015-16 season were a single-season school record.
Egbunu played in 90 games at the two schools, averaging 9.1 points and 6.4 rebounds.
