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This is a HUGE loss for the hoosiers next year, they really struggled without their main scorer last year.Wright to take shot at NBA
As expected, junior guard declares for draft; departure gives IU additional scholarship.
Indiana University junior Bracey Wright, a 6-3 shooting guard, led the Big Ten in scoring this past season with an 18.3-point average. -- Sam Riche / The Star
Related content
• Feedback: Is Wright NBA material?
The Wright moves
A look at Bracey Wright's statistics at Indiana:
• 2004-05: 18.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists
• 2003-04: 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists
• 2002-03: 16.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
By Terry Hutchens
[email protected]
April 14, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Bracey Wright has played his final game at Indiana University.
The junior guard from The Colony, Texas, who led the Big Ten in scoring this past season with an 18.3 average, announced Wednesday he will make himself eligible for the June 28 NBA draft.
He hasn't signed with an agent but gave the impression he plans to do so after wrapping up his schoolwork next week. He said he will withdraw from school at that time. When he signs with an agent, his college eligibility will expire.
"I am excited about the possibility of playing in the NBA and it has always been a dream of mine," Wright said in a statement released by the school. "I want to thank coach (Mike) Davis and all of the assistant coaches for the things they have taught me. I also want to thank my teammates for being there for me throughout my career."
Wright's decision was not unexpected. He had spoken privately to friends about the matter since IU's season ended with an NIT loss to Vanderbilt and a 15-14 record.
The bigger question is whether Wright will be one of the 60 players selected in the NBA draft. He didn't say in the statement whether he had been advised by someone with ties to the NBA to make his name eligible, and attempts to reach Wright on Wednesday were unsuccessful.
"This is a decision I reached after talking with a lot of people and receiving a lot of input," Wright said in the statement. "It was a tough decision, but I have thought it out very carefully and feel it is the best move for me at this time."
In three years at IU, Wright's teams had a 50-42 record, including a 25-23 mark in Big Ten play.
Wright's decision gives Davis two scholarships to work with this spring. The other one became available when sophomore Patrick Ewing Jr. decided earlier this month to transfer.
It was originally believed that one of the scholarships would be used on junior college point guard Shaun Davis from the College of Southern Idaho, but the sophomore guard might have had a change of heart. Davis might be headed to USC to join his former junior college coach, Gib Arnold, who was recently named an assistant for the Trojans.
Zygis Sestokas, a 6-5 shooting guard from Lithuania, is expected to make an official visit April 20-22. Sestokas played in high school last season at Statesville (N.C.) Christian.
Wright has talked about playing in the NBA practically since he arrived at IU. Those aspirations were delayed after his freshman season because of offseason back surgery. After an inconsistent sophomore year, Wright opted to return for another season.
Davis said he wishes Wright the best.
"I think this is a great opportunity for Bracey," Davis said. "Bracey has a lot of talent and will be a terrific professional player. We are going to miss him here at Indiana, but at the same time, we are excited about the players who are here and the newcomers next season."
Wright finished with 1,498 points, which ranks 15th in IU history.
Vaughn's plans uncertain
Arlington High School star Deonta Vaughn, who has committed to Indiana but has not signed, said Wednesday he hopes to score well enough on either the ACT or SAT college entrance exams to join the Hoosiers in the fall.
Vaughn said if he does not qualify, he will go to South Kent School, a prep school in South Kent, Conn.
"As far as going to (IU) next year, hopefully I will get a score good enough," said Vaughn, who said he has scored 15 on the ACT but needs a 19 to qualify. "If I don't do well enough, then I will go to prep school, try to do well and raise my score. If I have to go that route, I am more than willing to do it to help myself get better."
Vaughn said he is scheduled to take the SAT on May 7 and the ACT again June 11.
Star reporter Pat McKee contributed to this story.
Call Star reporter Terry Hutchens at (317) 444-6469.
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