STARKVILLE — In most sports, making yourself a candidate for the professional draft ends your collegiate eligibility. Men’s basketball allows players to examine their prospects before making a final decision about their eligibility.
Lamar Peters announced Wednesday he would investigate his possibilities when he declared for the NBA draft but that he wouldn’t hire an agent. Peters’ decision not to hire an agent means he retains his eligibility if he chooses to return to MSU.
Peters, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, averaged 9.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.47 steals. A three-game suspension at the start of the season and a slump in his first five games back in the lineup affected his play.
But Peters rebounded late in the season to score 24 and 22 points in two games in the Southeastern Conference tournament. He also handed out 14 assists in a first-round win against Nebraska and 10 more in a second-round victory against Baylor in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
MSU spokesperson Gregg Ellis said MSU coach Ben Howland wouldn’t make a statement about Peters. The school only confirmed Peters is testing the waters and won’t hire an agent.
Underclassmen who declare for the draft have until April 22 to notify the NBA of that intent. From then until May 30, teams can contact players for individual workouts around the NBA Combine, which is May 16-20. May 30 is the deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to college.
n In related news, Malik Newman plans to leave Kansas and enter the NBA draft after leading the Jayhawks to the Final Four in his only season playing for them.
The sophomore guard says Wednesday he plans to sign with an agent.
Newman sat out the 2016-17 season after transferring from Mississippi State and started 33 of 39 games this season, earning Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year honors. He was at his best in the postseason, averaging 24 points in the Big 12 Tournament and 21.6 in the NCAA Tournament, including a career-high 32 points in the overtime victory over Duke in the Midwest Region final.
He was voted the Most Outstanding Player of both the conference tournament and the regional.
Year-end banquet
MSU will host a year-end banquet at 11 a.m. Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum. The banquet is open to fans. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on HailState.com through 5 p.m. Friday. Howland is scheduled to recognize the team’s accomplishments.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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