Wright declares for NBA draft

IU junior guard Bracey Wright declared he would forego his senior season and enter the NBA draft, IU coach Mike Davis said in a statement Wednesday. \n"I am excited about the possibility of playing in the NBA and it has always been a dream of mine," the 6-foot-3 Wright said in a statement. "I want to thank coach Davis and all of the assistant coaches for the things they have taught me. I also want to thank my teammates for being there for me throughout my career."\nWright has yet to sign with an agent, but is planning to do so after he finishes his course work this week. He will then withdraw from the University in preparation for the June 28 draft. \nThe NBA has a May 14 deadline for early entry candidates to declare themselves eligible for the draft, and Wright now has until June 21 to withdraw from the draft pool.\nIf Wright does not sign with an agent, NCAA rules permit him to return to IU to compete in his senior season without loss of eligibility. Once he signs with an agent, all bets are off.\n"I wanted to complete my coursework before I signed with an agent," he said. "I expect to finish that soon, and at that time I will then turn my focus toward the NBA draft and pre-draft camps."\nThe 2002 McDonald's All-American averaged 17.6 points during his three-year career during which IU went 50-42. \n"I think this is a great opportunity for Bracey, and we all wish him the best," Davis said. "Bracey has a lot of talent and will be a terrific professional player. We are going to miss him here at Indiana, but at the same time, we are excited about the players who are here and the newcomers next season."\nAdding to the transformation of next year's men's basketball team, Wright's departure comes two weeks after Pat Ewing Jr. decided to transfer from the Hoosier program.\nThe next pre-draft camp will be held in Chicago June 7-10 at Moody Bible Institute. The seniors' only Portsmouth Invitational Tournament took place April 6-9.\n"This is a decision I reached after talking with a lot of people and receiving a lot of input," Wright said. "It was a tough decision but I have thought it out very clearly and feel it is the best move for me at this time."\nThe NBA is not allowed to comment on early-entry candidates until the deadline to enroll in the draft, but Marty Blake, NBA director of scouting said an agent isn't always necessary. \n"(I'd tell Wright) do not get an agent," Blake said. "It will not help him because the people who are going to play in the NBA get by on their own, and not with the help of an agent."\nHe also said that Stu Jackson, NBA senior vice president of basketball operations, and an "astute" group of NBA insiders sit down and help college players determine their possible draft status. However he said nothing is guaranteed.\nWright was named an All-American honorable mention by rivals.com this season after leading the Big Ten in scoring with 18.3 points per game, and captaining the Hoosiers to a 15-14 record. He finishes his career at IU in 15th place on the Hoosiers all-time scoring list. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Josh Weinfuss at jweinfus@indiana.edu.