University of Connecticut Athletics
Josh Boone Declares For 2006 NBA Draft But Will Not Hire Agent
4/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
STORRS, Conn. (April 7, 2006)-- University of Connecticut junior men's basketball player Josh Boone (Mt. Airy, Md.) announced Friday that he will enter his name into the 2006 NBA Draft, but will not hire an agent at this time, thus allowing for the possibility of withdrawing his name and returning to UConn for the 2006-07 academic year and basketball season.
“Over the last three years at Connecticut, I have played with, and against, the highest level of competition in college basketball. I feel now is the time for me to explore the option of testing my basketball skills against the best players in the world,” Boone said. “I realize this will require a great deal of hard work on my part, but believe that I am prepared for the challenge of playing in the NBA”.
“Playing for Coach Calhoun has been an invaluable experience,” Boone continued. “I appreciate all that the coaching staff, my teammates and the great UConn fans have done for me over the past three years. The support that I have received as a UConn student-athlete has been amazing. And I will continue to keep the commitment that I made to my mother, of earning my degree from the University of Connecticut in the near future”.
"As always, I support my players in exploring all of their options and Josh and his family are no exception," said head coach Jim Calhoun. "He has been and will continue to be a member of our basketball family and we will always be here to help Josh work through this process and arrive at the best decision for everyone involved."
Boone has appeared in 103 games in his three seasons as a Husky and has averaged 9.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots in that time. He has been a part of a Husky program that has gone 86-18 in three seasons, capturing two BIG EAST Regular Season titles, one BIG EAST Tournament title and the 2004 NCAA National Championship. Boone was the 2004-05 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NBA Draft is April 29. The NBA Pre-Draft camp is June 6-12 in Orlando, Fla. The deadline for withdrawing from the draft is June 18. The 2006 NBA Draft is June 28 in New York City. He may not participate in individual workouts with any NBA team until May 7, which is the completion of the academic year at UConn. No team may pay the expenses for him to attend any workouts, but the NBA may pay his actual and necessary expenses to attend the pre-draft camp.
