MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Forward Esa Ahmad is entering the NBA draft but has no intentions to sign with an agent, becoming the second West Virginia player in three days to take an exploratory look.
Ahmad is coming off a somewhat disappointing junior season in which he averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds after sitting out the first 16 games because of an NCAA-mandated suspension.
Sophomore forward/center Sagaba Konate announced Tuesday he would take advantage of the draft process, which allows players to be evaluated by NBA teams and still return to school. Underclassman can withdraw from the draft through June 11.
“Just like Sags, Esa will go through the NBA draft procedures in a systematic and professional manner by exploring the situation. Numerous college basketball players are testing the waters, gaining valuable feedback and leaving open their option to return to school,” coach Bob Huggins said.
Ahmad becomes the 61st underclassmen to enter the draft. So far 21 have indicated they plan to enlist with an agent, including Kansas guard Malik Newman, Oklahoma’s Trae Young and Texas center Mo Bamba.
A complete list:
Players who signed with agent or intend to do so:
Rawle Alkins, guard, Arizona, So.
Deandre Ayton, forward, Arizona, Fr.
Marvin Bagley III, forward, Duke, Fr.
Mohamed Bamba, center, Texas, Fr.
Troy Brown, forward, Oregon, Fr.
Tony Carr, guard, Penn State, So.
Keita Bates-Diop, forward, Ohio State, Jr.
Miles Bridges, forward, Michigan State, So.
Trevon Duval, guard, Duke, Fr.
Mustapha Heron, guard, Auburn, So.
Aaron Holiday, guard, UCLA, Jr.
Jaren Jackson, forward, Michigan State, Fr.
Justin Jackson, forward, Maryland, So.
Brandon McCoy, center, UNLV, Fr.
Chimezie Metu, forward, Southern California, Fr.
Malik Newman, guard, Kansas, So.
Michael Porter Jr., forward, Missouri, Fr.
Allonzo Trier, guard, Arizona
Corey Sanders, guard, Rutgers, Jr.
Lonnie Walker IV, guard, Miami (Fla.), Fr.
Trae Young, guard, Oklahoma, Fr.
Players not intending to sign with agent (in order to retain eligibility):
Deng Adel, forward, Louisville, Jr.
Kostas Antetokounmpo, forward, Dayton, Fr.
Ky Bowman, guard, Boston College, So.
Barry Brown, guard, Kansas State, Jr.
C.J. Burks, guard, Marshall, Jr.
Yoeli Childs, forward, BYU, So.
Jerome Robinson, guard, Boston College, Jr.
Tyler Cook, forward, Iowa, So.
Isaac Copeland, forward, Nebraska, Jr.
Carsen Edwards, guard, Purdue, So.
Noah Dickerson, forward, Washington, Jr.
Jon Elmore, guard, Marshall, Jr.
Jacob Evans, guard, Cincinnati, Jr.
Robert Franks, forward, Washington State, Jr.
Melvin Frazier, forward, Tulane, Jr.
Eugene German, guard, Northern Illinois, So.
Tyler Hall, guard, Montana State, Jr.
Jaylen Hands, guard, UCLA, Fr.
Ethan Happ, forward, Wisconsin, Jr.
Jalen Hudson, forward, Florida, Jr.
Dewan Huell, forward, Miami (Fla.), Jr.
Sagaba Konate, forward, West Virginia, So.
Jalen McDaniels, forward, San Diego State, Fr.
Shake Milton, guard, SMU, Jr.
Shelton Mitchell, guard, Clemson, Jr.
Josh Okogie, guard, Georgia Tech, So.
James Palmer, guard, Nebraska, Jr.
Ajdin Penava, forward, Marshall, Jr.
Lamar Peters, guard, Mississippi State, So.
Shamorie Ponds, guard, St. John’s, So.
Marcquise Reed, guard, Clemson, Jr.
Kerwin Roach II, guard, Texas, Jr.
Admiral Schofield, forward, Tennessee, Jr.
Zhaire Smith, guard, Texas Tech, Fr.
Ray Spalding, forward, Louisville, Jr.
Max Straus, guard, DePaul, Jr.
Nick Ward, forward, Michigan State, So.
Demajeo Wiggins, forward, Ball State, Jr.
PJ Washington, forward, Kentucky, Fr.