LSU sophomore Martin to enter NBA Draft

Mar 25, 2015 - 10:06 PM Baton Rouge, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - LSU sophomore forward Jarell Martin said Wednesday he will forgo his final two seasons of eligibility and enter the NBA Draft.

Martin, a former McDonald's All-American who was born in Baton Rouge, said he reached his goal of leading LSU to an NCAA Tournament appearance and believes the program is in good hands. The nation's top incoming freshman, Ben Simmons, is committed to the Tigers and plays a similar position to Martin.

The 6-foot-9 combo hybrid forward averaged 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds in more than 35 minutes per game as a sophomore and helped LSU reach its first NCAA Tournament since 2009. The ninth-seeded Tigers were knocked out by North Carolina State in the round of 64.

Martin is projected to be selected in the early-to-mid second round in June's draft.

Martin's frontcourt mate Jordan Mickey remains undecided on his future at this time, despite a report he was planning to declare for the draft.

"With speculation that I may leave LSU for the NBA, or that I have already decided, that is not true," Mickey said in a statement. "The deadline to make a final decision is still a month away -- I am still enrolled in school -- and I will use that time to decide."