Monday afternoon a pivotal piece to the University of Cincinnati men's basketball program announced he was declaring for the NBA draft. The announcement via social media from redshirt senior Landers Nolley II did include one important stipulation.
Nolley intends to maintain his college eligibility which would allow him to possibly return to Wes Miller's Bearcats. What this means is Nolley could be evaluated at the Portsmouth Invitational April 12-15 and then return should the evaluation not be favorable to go pro. Or, he could hire an NCAA-certified agent, and if he goes undrafted, return after terminating any agreement.
If he is drafted, his eligibility is over.
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A precedent for players returning after declaring for NBA draft at UC
In recent years Jarron Cumberland, Keith Williams and Chris Vogt all declared for the NBA draft, were evaluated and returned.
What was the result of Jarron Cumberland's return?
A 6-foot-5 Wilmington High School grad, Cumberland was the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2018-19 leading UC to the AAC tournament championship. He averaged 18.8 points per game and 4.4 rebounds his junior season. After declaring in April 2019, Cumberland participated in an NBA G-League Elite Camp. By late May he was a Bearcat again, this time under John Brannen who took over for UCLA-bound Mick Cronin. In his senior year, Cumberland's scoring average dropped to 15.5 points per game. In late 2021 Cumberland played in three games for the Portland Trailblazers.
What happened with Keith Williams?
In May 2020, Williams declared for the NBA draft after averaging 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds for Cronin's 'Cats as a 6-5 swingman. By July, Williams was back in the fold, even after signing with an agent. In his lone season for Brannen, he averaged 14.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. He would again declare for the draft but go unpicked in 2021. He attempted to return to college at Western Kentucky but his eligibility wasn't restored. He is currently on the roster with the G-League Raptors 905 team.
What became of Chris Vogt?
The 7-footer who came from NKU with Brannen to UC averaged 11 points and 5.9 rebounds and also declared for the 2020 NBA draft. Vogt would also return but saw his numbers drop to 4.9 points per game and 3.5 rebounds. He entered the transfer portal afterward going to Wisconsin where he averaged 2.9 points and 3.1 rebounds. He is now averaging a double-double in Austria for the Vienna Timberwolves.
How do Lander Nolley's numbers compare?
Though he's been to three schools, his production is most comparable to Cumberland's with his scoring more consistent. He led Virginia Tech as a redshirt freshman at 15.5 points per game, then hit 13.1 and 9.8, respectively for the Memphis Tigers. In his lone year as a Bearcat, he topped the team at 16.8 points per game and was All-AAC First Team. He shot 41.7% from the arc and his 96 3-pointers were the most since Deonta Vaughn hit 97 in 2007-08.
What are Landers Nolley's NBA draft prospects?
NBADraft.net does not have him among the 60 potential draft picks (30 per round). Among those listed ahead of him that UC faced are Taylor Hendricks of UCF, Jarace Walker of Houston, Marcus Sasser of Houston and Xavier's Colby Jones. NBADraftRoom.com puts Nolley at 120th overall in a 60-pick draft.
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