Report: Chuma Okeke plans to sign with agent, stay in 2019 NBA Draft
Auburn F Chuma Okeke declared for the 2019 NBA Draft after an incredible season for the Tigers, even though he tore his ACL against North Carolina in the Sweet 16.
Recently, he was invited to participate in the NBA Combine, but it was reported on Monday evening that he had withdrawn from the event.
Now, it appears he’s made up his mind. Per Jonathan Givony, he’s decided to hire an agent and will be remaining in the draft:
Auburn's Chuma Okeke has elected to sign with an agent and keep his name in the NBA Draft, a source told ESPN. He will not be participating in the NBA Combine, as previously reported. It appears that Okeke feels comfortable with where he's positioned in this draft.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2019
When he originally decided to withdraw from the event, there was speculation that he might return to school. Now, it appears that won’t be the case.
Where he gets drafted remains to be seen, but he showed some serious first-round skill this year at Auburn.
I didn’t read the first article but didn’t take long to go from staying to going again.
I initially thought the same thing, but there’s a difference between withdrawing from the combine and withdrawing from the draft. In this case, it does actually kinda make sense if you read the article.
He has most likely got assurance from a team that he will get picked. The buzz is Golden State. He can always part with his agent and return after the draft if necessary…but this sounds really good for Okeke. Great kid, and think he’ll have a good career in the NBA.
You sure he can return after the draft? I’m pretty sure he has to have his named removed and cut ties with the agent prior to the draft because he is not competing in the combine. If he was competing in the combine I believe he could go undrafted and come back.
I believe he can return if he doesn’t get drafted. That’s not likely to happen though.
He can if he goes through the combine but he isn’t so his career at Auburn is over.
If he has to actually attend the combine, then it seems like an oversight on his part. Having a free safety net seems like a no-brainer unless a team specifically asked him not to attend. I guess they might be afraid someone else would pick him up first after interviewing?