James Blackmon Declares For 2017 NBA Draft, But Does Not Hire Agent

According to a report from Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star, Indiana rising senior guard James Blackmon has declared for the 2017 NBA Draft. However, he has declined to hire an agent, indicating that he still could still return to Bloomington next season.

Indiana had arguably one of the Big Ten’s most disappointing performances last season, finishing at 18-16 overall, despite an impressive 10-2 start. However, one of the bright spots was Blackmon, who led the team to wins over Kansas and North Carolina early in the season. He also helped the Hoosiers score crucial Big Ten wins over teams like Ohio State and Penn State during conference play.

As a recruit, Blackmon arrived on campus with more than a fair share of hype. He was rated as a five-star prospect by 247Sports and was hailed by many as the program’s next great superstar. With his handle and elite shooting abilities, many figured that he would light up the scoreboards at Indiana.

Unfortunately, results have been mixed since Blackmon joined the program. He has played in 76 games at Indiana during his career, but has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his three seasons with the Hoosiers. Last season, he averaged 17.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

Blackmon’s upcoming decision could have major ramifications for Indiana and its potential going forward. With new head coach Archie Miller taking over, losing a player like Blackmon could leave a lot of uncertainty for the years ahead. Fans will have to wait to see whether he opts to leave or come back for one more year.