Isaac Haas has withdrawn his name from the NBA Draft and will return to Purdue for his senior season.
This according to a release sent out by the school.
“After going through the NBA evaluations and workouts with multiple teams, I have had many long discussions with my family and the Purdue coaching staff. We came to the decision that it’s best that I come back to Purdue and help bring Purdue to a better place than last year for my senior year,” reads the statement attributed to Isaac Haas.
Most experts viewed this process as Haas “testing the waters,” and fully expected him to return all along. Haas had a chance to work out extensively this off-season in front of NBA personnel, and interact with lots of NBA people to obtain plenty of necessary feedback about his game.
Plus, the recently opened up rules about declaring for the draft allowed him to return to school after working out for National Basketball Association scouts. That’s a pro sports version of a flexible gym membership right there. It’s a good deal for college basketball players/pro prospects.
“I learned so much from the NBA experience and I want to thank all the organizations that managed to bring me in and allowed me to showcase my talents while improving certain aspects of my game and learning what I need to work on. It’s time to focus on next year and to bring another conference championship and a national title to Purdue.”
Isaac Haas, a 7’2″ center, averaged 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 58.7 percent from the field last season.
Senior to be Vincent Edwards and possible junior Caleb Swanigan are still undecided regarding their NBA decisions as the May 24th deadline looms. Edwards is also widely thought to be coming back to Keady Court next season, as he’s also taking advantage of the opened up “testing the waters” rules.
With Biggie Swanigan it’s a different story. ESPN college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman says his sources are indicating that Swanigan is almost certainly leaving, and that all indicators are that decision would be the correct one.
ESPN Analyst described Biggie as second unit four or small ball starting center at the next level.
If Edwards and Biggie return to West Lafayette, the Boilermakers would return all five starters from a team that accomplished 27 wins, a Sweet 16 appearance and an outright B1G Championship.
Watch this space.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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