UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS: McCoy Announces He Will Declare For NBA Draft

UNLV men’s basketball freshman center Brandon McCoy has announced that he will declare for the 2018 NBA Draft.

“This is probably one of the toughest decisions I have ever made,” McCoy said. “My experience at UNLV has been amazing. I love Las Vegas, the university, Coach Menzies, my teammates and the entire Runnin’ Rebel program. I will always be a Rebel, but when weighing all the factors, with the support of my family I have decided it is in my best interest to forgo my collegiate eligibility and pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA. I plan to earn my degree and will continue to work with Coach so that is achieved in the near future. There were so many great memories created here. I want to thank the entire Rebel Family and I will be their biggest fan moving forward. I will carry the Vegas Strong mentality with me for the rest of my life.”

McCoy, a 7-footer originally from Chicago, graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, California. He was selected as this season’s Mountain West’s Freshman of the Year and set the league’s freshman scoring and rebounding records with 16.9 ppg and 10.3 rpg. He also averaged 1.7 blocks per contest and shot 54.5 percent from the field. He had a MW-leading 18 double-doubles, which ranks 11th in the nation overall and third among all freshmen.

“Brandon was an amazing addition to our program and helped to legitimize our ability to recruit top-tier talent,” said UNLV head men’s basketball coach Marvin Menzies. “His commitment to his academics is real and I am confident he will continue to work toward his bachelor’s degree from UNLV. Even though his time here was short, it was great having him as a part of the program. I am confident he will have a successful career at the next level based on his dedication, commitment, ability and overall character.”

McCoy, who came to UNLV as a McDonald’s High School All-American and consensus five-star recruit, was named a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Top-Five Finalist. The award goes to the nation’s top collegiate center. He was also on the midseason top 25 watch list for the John R. Wooden Award, which goes to the nation’s top collegiate player.

The nation’s fourth-leading freshman rebounder this season, McCoy also serves as the men’s basketball program’s representative on the UNLV Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He was also named to the United States Basketball Writers Association’s All-District Team.