April 22, 2014

WACO, Texas - Baylor sophomore center Isaiah Austin will declare for the 2014 NBA Draft and forgo his final two years of collegiate eligibility, head coach Scott Drew announced Tuesday.

Austin led the Big 12 Conference with 119 blocked shots in 2013-14, which ranked as the second-most in Baylor single-season history. He finishes his BU career with 177 blocks, which ties current NBA players Quincy Acy for second on the Bears' all-time list.

"Our coaching staff really enjoyed working with Isaiah for his two years at Baylor University, and we want to thank him for his tremendous contributions to Baylor basketball," head coach Scott Drew said. "His versatility and defensive prowess helped us win an NIT Championship and make a Sweet 16 appearance. He's a tremendous player and a great role model in the community, and we look forward to watching him as he takes the next step to the NBA."

An Arlington, Texas, native, Austin played in 73 games over his two-year Baylor career. He averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game. Austin led Baylor to a 2013 NIT Championship and a 2014 Sweet 16 berth, helping the Bears to 49 victories over his two seasons in Waco.

Austin was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive team and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection by the league's coaches in 2013-14. He was named to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team after setting a league record with 18 blocks in the tournament. Austin also had nine blocks in a double-overtime win against Kansas State on Feb. 15, tying the most ever by a Baylor player in a conference game.

Austin is expected to be drafted along with fifth-year senior teammate Cory Jefferson, and if both are selected they would give Baylor six NBA Draft picks in the last three seasons. Perry Jones III (Oklahoma City), Quincy Acy (Toronto), Quincy Miller (Denver) and Pierre Jackson (Philadelphia) have been selected out of Baylor in the two most recent NBA Drafts.

The 2014 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26 in New York City, and it will be televised live on ESPN and WatchESPN. The deadline for early entries to the draft is April 27.