Daniels leaving UConn to enter NBA Draft

Apr 25, 2014 - 10:45 PM Storrs, CT (SportsNetwork.com) - UConn junior forward DeAndre Daniels announced on Friday his decision to enter the NBA Draft, bypassing his final season of collegiate eligibility.

"I just felt like this was the right time for me," Daniels said. "I sat down with my family and we discussed it and everyone agreed, but the final decision was still mine and it was hard. I had a great career at UConn and I wouldn't change it for the world, and to go out on top like we did makes it even better."

The 6-foot-9, 195-pounder from Los Angeles finished the 2013-14 season ranking second on the team by averaging 13.1 points per game, adding 6.0 rebounds per contest over 38 appearances for the 2014 national champions. He also shot a career-best 46.9 percent from the field, including 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.

"DeAndre has made an enormous contribution to the success we have enjoyed at UConn, both on the court and in the classroom," Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie said. "Besides being an outstanding basketball player, he is a quality young man. We wholeheartedly support the decision he has made and wish him nothing but success as he moves ahead with his basketball career. He will always be part of our UConn family."

Junior guard Ryan Boatright, on the other hand, has elected to stay for his senior campaign. The 21-year-old native of Illinois teamed with senior Shabazz Napier this season to form one of the toughest backcourts in the country. The 6-foot guard averaged 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.