Photo: Walt Beazley, UA Athletics
Razorback guard BJ Young announced Thursday that he will leave Arkansas after his sophomore season, and will enter the 2013 NBA Draft.
“Thank you Arkansas for everything,” he posted Thursday. “I have unconditional love for this place and people here.”
Young, a 6-3 guard from St. Louis, Mo., submitted his name for consideration in last year’s draft before ultimately deciding to return the Razorbacks.
This season, he averaged a team high 15.2 points per game, and led the team also lead the team with 102 assists and 27.9 minutes played per game. He shot 45 percent from the floor, averaged 3.5 rebounds per game and was fifth in the Southeastern Conference in scoring, fifth in field goal percentage and ninth in assists per game.
“I met with BJ and his father today and BJ expressed his interest to enter his name in the NBA Draft,” said Razorback head basketball coach Mike Anderson. “This is his dream, and as a coach, I encourage him to pursue that dream.”
Young earned second-team All-SEC honors by the SEC coaches for the second consecutive year as well as honorable mention All-SEC accolades by the Associated Press. A two-time United States Basketball Writers Association All-District VII selection, Young scored in double figures 23 times as a sophomore including nine 20-plus point games. He was named the SEC Player of the Week on Dec. 31 after nearly posting a triple-double against Northwestern State with 26 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. During the 2012-13 preseason, Young was named to the John R. Wooden award preseason top 50 as well as the Naismith Award watch list.
Young is the second Razorback underclassman to declare for the 2013 draft. His teammate, junior forward Marshawn Powell announced his decision to enter the draft earlier this week.
The 2013 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 27 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
