Providence guard Ricky Ledo leaving the Friars early to enter the NBA draft

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Providence freshman guard Ricky Ledo is entering the NBA draft

Ledo, a Providence native, says Tuesday he "felt he could not pass up this opportunity to enter the NBA draft now."

In September, the NCAA ruled that Ledo could not compete in games for the Friars in 2012-13, but he did practice and work out with the team during the season. The 6-foot-6 Ledo did not play because he did not meet NCAA academic standards for eligibility, but enough NBA scouts who watched him practice with the Friars indicated he had a chance to be drafted.

Ledo, who was rated as a top-25 high school prospect, spent time at four different programs in five years of high school before receiving a scholarship from Providence.