Illini junior McCamey declares for NBA draft
CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois guard Demetri McCamey has decided to test the pro basketball waters and enter the NBA draft.
In a news release Thursday, McCamey says he won't hire an agent. That allows the junior to return to the Illini for his senior season if wants to.
McCamey has told reporters this week that he wouldn't leave Illinois if he doesn't think he is a first-round pick.
McCamey came to Illinois from St. Joseph High school in Bellwood. He was a first-team All Big Ten player this season after averaging 15.1 points and a school-record 7.1 assists a game.
Illinois coach Bruce Weber says McCamey handled himself well while he weighed his options by continuing to practice with the team and consulting with coaches and staff.
"I feel now is the time for me to seriously explore my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA," McCamey said. "I will continue my coursework while preparing for workouts, and I do not plan to hire an agent in order to retain my eligibility. Coach Weber has helped me every step of the way, and I will work closely with him during this process as I pursue my goal of playing professional basketball."
McCamey earned first-team All-Big Ten honors last season, as well as first-team All-District honors by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). He also earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. McCamey led the Illini in scoring, averaging 15.1 points, and ranked second in the nation in assists with a school-record average of 7.1 apg. He also led the Illini in steals (1.5 spg), while finishing third on the team in rebounding (3.6 rpg).
McCamey tallied seven or more assists in 21 games and tied a school record with a career-high 16 assists at Purdue, equaling the most assists in the NCAA on the season and ranking as the No. 3 all-time performance in a Big Ten game. He registered 10, 20-point games on the year, scored in double figures 28 times and was the UI's top scorer in a team-leading 17 contests.
McCamey is the only player in Illinois history to reach career milestones of 1,200 points as well as 500 assists in three seasons of competition. He was named team MVP at last night's Fighting Illini Basketball Banquet.
"I am proud of the way Demetri has handled this situation," Weber said. "He has participated in all our team workouts and weightlifting sessions this spring while continuing to work hard in the classroom. He also has kept an open line of communication with our staff, and his mother, Sabrina, has been tremendous as well. Demetri has our full support as he goes through this process. He has clearly made great improvements as a player, but more importantly has matured and grown as a person."