STARKVILLE — When Reggie Perry took a bow before subbing out in Mississippi State’s final victory of the 2019-2020 season against Ole Miss, most in attendance knew what it meant.
When asked about his curtain call postgame, Perry said through a coy smile that he was “caught up in the moment,” although teammates Tyson Carter and Nick Weatherspoon didn’t buy it and burst out laughing.
Sunday afternoon, Perry made official what many have been speculating for months: he will forego his junior and senior seasons and declare for the NBA Draft. Perry made the announcement with a video on his Twitter profile.
“After much prayer, meditation and talking to my parents, siblings and coach (Ben) Howland, it is time for me to continue my lifelong dream by continuing basketball at the next level as a professional,” Perry said in the video.
In two seasons with the Bulldogs, Perry amassed 868 points, 557 rebounds, 61 blocks and 26 double-doubles. The 26 double-doubles were the most among active SEC players.
Last year, Perry — a 6-foot-10 forward — scored 17.4 points and grabbed 10.1 rebounds per game, leading him to be named the Associated Press’ Co-SEC Player of the Year along with Arkansas’ Mason Jones.
If Perry is selected in the NBA Draft, it would make it two consecutive years a MSU player has been drafted after Quinndary Weatherspoon was taken by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round a year ago.
Perry is the first Bulldog to declare for the NBA Draft and it remains to be seen if teammate Robert Woodard II will follow suit.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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