Aaron Bruce To Participate In NBA Draft Process
4/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 20, 2007
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WACO, Texas -- Baylor junior guard Aaron Bruce intends to make himself available for the 2007 NBA draft by entering his name on the early entry list but he will not hire an agent, he announced Friday.
"Our staff fully supports Aaron in taking a step in pursuit of his dream to one day play in the NBA," Baylor Head Coach Scott Drew said. "Right now the way the system is set up it is a great opportunity for juniors to see what the workouts are like and to get a realistic view of what the experts think of their chances. Unless Aaron can work his way into the (draft's) first round he will return to Baylor for his senior year and complete his degree."
As an underclassman without an agent, Bruce retains the option until June 18 to withdraw from the draft and return for his senior season at Baylor. After June 5, underclassmen can work out for teams at their own expense in order to maintain their collegiate eligibility. The 2007 NBA Draft will be conducted June 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
"I sat down with my parents and the coaching staff and we think this is the best move for me at the moment to see where I stand," Bruce said. "It's a good way for me to learn the process and to be ready for next year."
The 6-3 Australian has averaged 14.3 points, 3.5 assists and hit on 40 percent of 3-pointers in three seasons at Baylor. Bruce is a three-time All-Big 12 selection who has started all 74 games played for the Bears.
"Aaron will finish out the spring semester and is enrolled in summer school," Drew said. "His workouts with NBA teams won't affect his academic schedule."
Bruce's 39.9 career 3-point percentage ranks third in school history and his 81.7 career free throw percentage ranks fifth all-time. This season he joined Baylor's 1,000-point club and he currently ranks 19th on the school's career scoring list with 1,060 points. In 2005 he was voted to Baylor's All-Centennial Team. Bruce was named a Freshman All-American after leading the nation's freshman in scoring with an 18.2 average in 2004-05.
Bruce is a veteran of international basketball having played for multiple Australian national teams including the senior squad that participated in the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan last summer.
