Matthews Declares for NBA Draft Without Agent
4/20/2018 12:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's basketball junior Charles Matthews announced today (Friday, April 20) he will submit the proper paperwork and declare for the 2018 NBA Draft without hiring an agent, allowing him to maintain his amateur status.
"After careful consideration with my parents and coaching staff, I am excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft without hiring an agent," said Matthews. "I give thanks to the Lord for this amazing opportunity, as well as the entire University of Michigan for their support. Go Blue!"
"We have loved the initiative and maturity Charles has shown during this early phase of testing the NBA Draft process," said U-M's David and Meredith Kaplan Men's Basketball Head Coach John Beilein. "We have been, and will continue, to work closely with Charles and his family to gain as much information as possible in the weeks ahead."
With Matthews entering his name for the NBA Draft, he makes himself eligible to be selected at the Thursday, June 21, draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Additionally, he will be able to start attending workouts scheduled by NBA teams starting Tuesday (April 24) and, if selected, he will be eligible for the NBA Draft Combine, Wednesday through Sunday, May 16-20, in Chicago.
Following the combine, Matthews will have 10 days to weigh his options and keep his name in or withdraw, by Wednesday (May 30). Withdrawing his name from the draft will maintain his collegiate eligibility.
In his first full playing season with the Wolverines, Matthews started all 41 games and averaged 13.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He had seven 20-plus point games, including a career-high 31 against Alabama A&M -- becoming the first Wolverine to score 30-plus points in over two and a half years. He highlighted his season with the NCAA West Regional's Most Outstanding Player honor as the Wolverines advanced to the Final Four.
Michigan finished the 2017-18 season with a 33-8 record, setting a program record for wins. The Wolverines won four games in four days for a second straight year to claim their second straight Big Ten Tournament title at Madison Square Garden. With a third straight NCAA Tournament selection, the Wolverines advanced to the Final Four and national title game for the second time in six years.
