ATHENS — Georgia junior forward Rayshaun Hammonds plans to test the NBA waters, declaring for the draft while also maintaining his eligibility.
Hammonds made the announcement on his Twitter and Instagram accounts on Friday.
Players who don’t hire an agent have until Monday, June 15th (5 p.m. EST) to withdraw and retain their college eligibility. The 2020 NBA Draft is currently scheduled for June 25.
The 6-foot-9, 235-pound junior has shown flashes of talent throughout his career. Hammonds, however, has been very inconsistent.
Hammonds, from Norcross, Ga., finished the season with one of his finest performances, a 22 point, 11-rebound against Ole Miss.
In the team’s first outing against the very same team earlier in the season, Hammonds had 4 points and 5 rebounds.
Georgia basketball coach Tom Crean released a statement pertaining to Hammonds’ exploration into the professional ranks.
“The most important thing is to help get quality and thorough information from the NBA underclassmen committee to see where Rayshaun stands, of which we’ve already requested through the paperwork,” Crean said. “Also, we’ll help get it from the individual NBA teams during a time that is so unique and unknown as far as how this entire draft process will work out for everyone.
“The most important things for Rayshaun are to be focused on school through the end of the semester and to stay in very good shape.”
Former Georgia player Nicolas Claxton went through the same process last year before ultimately deciding to turn professional.
The 6-10 Claxton was drafted in the second round with the 31st overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets.
Claxton, however, was able to have individual workouts for several of the teams while exploring his NBA draft status.
The coronavirus pandemic has limited the exposure this year’s NBA draft prospects have with teams, however. The process is not what it was a year ago and it will be harder for players to get a feel for their true draft stock.
That would explain Crean’s caution for Hammonds to make sure he is well-informed. Going undrafted could lead to a less-certain professional future, particularly as league’s sort out their methods for dealing with the coronavirus fallout.
Hammonds averaged 12.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season, appearing in all 32 games as the Bulldogs finished 16-16.
Georgia freshman Anthony Edwards, the projected No. 1 overall pick, declared for the NBA draft last Friday.
