"Most guys in my position in the draft, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA. It's not just the NIL. It's a chance to play with my boys. To play for coach [Todd] Golden. To go to the school I love to play for. It was definitely a tougher decision than last year, but it was best for my career and future."
Preparations for the draft are well underway, with teams already hosting private workouts with eligible prospects. The first scouting event is set to tip off on Wednesday, with the top seniors in the country embarking on the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Virginia.
The NBA's flattened lottery rules mean that the three worst teams in the league all share the same 14% chance of winning the first overall selection. Looking at the board, it's the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, and Washington Wizards sitting in a three-way tie at +550.
"A year ago you guys took a chance on a kid from New Hampshire with zero high major offers, welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to be the best version of myself on and off the court."
"It's been my dream and my goal my whole life to play in the NBA. Honestly, since I can remember. I was probably like, 5 years old, making drawings of myself playing in the NBA. ... It's pretty special, you know, to be in this position right now."
