Michigan forward DJ Wilson will keep his name in the NBA Draft, the news was first reported by Draft Express.
Michigan confirmed the news later in the afternoon, here are the quotes from a University statement:
“This was not an easy decisions, however, I have thought long about the next step in my career over the last few months,” said Wilson. “After many prayers and discussions with my mom, Coach Beilein and the staff, it is the right time for me to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA.
“I am confident I have the drive, work ethic and maturity for this next step. It’s never going to be easy, but if I have learned anything at Michigan, perseverance pays off. It has truly been a blessing to have had the opportunity to attend Michigan and I will forever be grateful to Coach Beilein and his staff for taking the chance on me. There are so many memories over the past three years that I will always cherish. I will be a Wolverine at heart forever. Go Blue!”
“D.J. and our coaching staff worked very hard over the last month to get as much information as possible on his draft status,” said U-M head coach John Beilein. “Given the data and insight we received, D.J. is confident he is ready to take the next step in his basketball career. We love D.J. and he will always be a Michigan Wolverine. His development over the past three seasons, and particularly this past season, was phenomenal. With continued work, he shows great potential to improve in a similar manner in the NBA. We wish him and his family the very best and we will always be rooting for him during this draft process and for all the years to come.”
He averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds per game as a redshirt sophomore after playing sparingly during his first two years in Ann Arbor.
Wilson is projected as a borderline first-round pick with DraftExpress projecting him to be selected 30th overall by the Utah Jazz. The Jazz are one of two teams that Wilson has been confirmed to workout for before suffering a quad injury early on in a workout in San Antonio.
Wilson is Michigan’s eighth early departure to the NBA Draft since 2011, joining Trey Burke, Nik Stauskas, Tim Hardaway Jr., Manny Harris, Darius Morris, Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III.