Michigan's Trey Burke declares for NBA draft (original) (raw)

Michigan guard Trey Burke reacts during the second half of the NCAA men's championship game April 8 at the Georgia Dome. Burke announced Sunday he is entering the NBA draft.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It was just a matter of time: Trey Burke is leaving Michigan for the NBA draft.Michigan's sophomore guard accomplished nearly everything he could in his two-year career – short of a national championship – and announced he is now submitting his name for the draft.

"I've decided to declare for the 2013 NBA draft," Burke said at a press conference at Crisler Center. "It's always been a dream for me ... I'm fortunate and blessed."

For the past year it seemed inevitable, from the moment a year ago that he came very close to leaving after his freshman year, through all the great success this year.

Burke returned and rose from a projected second-round pick last season to a player who all analysts have slated for the lottery this year.

Returning served him well. He improved his stats in every major category, scoring nearly four more points per game (18.6), two more assists (6.7), shot dramatically better from the field (46%) and from three-point range (83%). The Big Ten player of the year also doubled his total steals and set a Big Ten record by scoring at least 15 points in every game.

Though he led Michigan to its first Big Ten title in 26 years as a freshman, he had a greater impact as a sophomore, taking the Wolverines to the NCAA championship game for the first time since 1993.

Burke won nearly every major player of the year award, including the Naismith, Wooden, Oscar Robertson and the Associated Press award, plus winning the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard.

Though he has until April 28 to officially decide, once he submits his letter to the NBA he only has until Tuesday to withdraw and return to college.

Without him, Michigan will turn to backup point guard Spike Albrecht, who stood out in the national championship game with a 17-point performance, and incoming freshman Derrick Walton from Harper Woods Chandler Park.

Burke's decision was likely much easier than the other Wolverines considering early entry.

Tim Hardaway Jr. switched positions, to shooting guard where he handled the ball more and, while his scoring average remained virtually at the same at 14.5 points per game, his field-goal shooting improved (43.7%), his three-point shooting was dramatically higher (37%) and his assist and rebounding (4.7) numbers rose. Yet he is only projected by most as a second-round pick.

Center Mitch McGary had a spectacular NCAA tournament run, averaging 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds during the six games, being named to the All-Tournament team. That has sent him soaring up the draft projections, well into the first round, possibly on the fringe of the lottery. His case is complicated by a few factors. Though he had five straight double-figure scoring games in the tournament, he had only seven the entire season before that as he played restricted minutes until the NCAAs. Another factor that could affect his decision is his age, as McGary will already be 21 by the June 27 draft.

For his fellow freshman and close friend Glenn Robinson III, it's also a unique situation. He's slated as a first-round pick as well, but that's primarily on potential as he showed flashes of elite ability – five games of at least 20 points – but his full-season averages (11 points and 5.4 rebounds) are lower than most players who would be picked in that range.

Mark Snyder covers University of Michigan athletics for the Detroit Free Press, a Gannett property.