Spokane, WA – Gonzaga junior forward Kelly Olynyk has decided to declare for the NBA Draft.
Olynyk, a 7-foot Canadian, announced Friday that he will bypass his senior season in favor of this June's draft. He is projected as a first-rounder and a possible lottery pick.
"I love this place, I love my teammates, but the NBA has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid, so it was something I had to act on," Olynyk said. "It's your dream. That's the highest level and everyone wants to play at the highest level. It will be a journey, but I think it will be a fun one."
Olynyk, who turned 22 on Friday, averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks during his junior season with the Bulldogs, earning a first-team All-America selection.
He excelled in the classroom as well, graduating in December with a 3.53 GPA as an accounting major while being named the men's basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year by the Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association.
"We are very proud of what Kelly was able to accomplish at Gonzaga, both on the court and in the classroom," said Bulldogs head coach Mark Few. "The fact he was the Academic All-American for all of college basketball is a great example of what he is all about. We wish him all the best in his next challenge."
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