Mississippi State point guard Jamont Gordon has decided to declare for the NBA draft, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.Gordon told the news agency he filed the paperwork Tuesday afternoon.
The news comes on the heels of graduating senior Charles Rhodes and sophomore Ben Hansbrough both leaving the team. Hansbrough decided to transfer April 8 but has not yet signed with any schools.
That adds up to three starters head coach Rick Stansbury will have to replace for next season.
The junior point guard has said he won’t hire an agent, but said he is confident he’ll get drafted, according to a phone interview with Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal sports writer Gregg Ellis.
NCAA rules cite Gordon can still be eligible to return to MSU as long as he doesn’t hire an agent.
Gordon said Stansbury encouraged him to enter the draft after the Bulldogs’ season ended this year.
“Right after this season he pulled me into his office and he told me he thought I should give it a try because he thought I had a good year, a good solid career,” Gordon told the Associated Press. “He thought I’d go in the first round and everything. He was all positive about it.”
According to DraftExpress.com’s mock draft, Gordon would go in the second round as the 16th pick.
Gordon, who averaged 17.2 points per game, led the Bulldogs to two straight SEC West titles and a second round NCAA tourney battle this year before losing to No. 1 seed Memphis.