Junior led Big Ten in rebounding and had 15 double-doubles in 2009-10. He now joins teammate Demetri McCamey as early entries that did not sign agents.
Champaign, Ill.-University of Illinois junior forward Mike Davis (Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams H.S.) will declare himself eligible for the 2010 NBA Draft, he announced today.
“I have decided to take this opportunity following my junior season and enter my name in the NBA Draft,” Davis said. “I’ve been training hard with my teammates this spring and am looking forward to workouts where I will be able to evaluate my ability to compete at the next level.”
Davis received honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades last season. He was the Big Ten’s top rebounder, averaging 9.2 boards to become the first Illini to lead the conference in rebounding in 23 years, since Ken Norman in 1987. Davis’ total of 330 rebounds, meanwhile, stands as the third-highest single-season performance in school history. He also was third on the team in scoring with an average of 10.7 points, scoring in double figures in 24 games. Davis tallied 15 double-doubles on the year, ranking second in the league behind Ohio State’s Evan Turner.
Davis will not hire an agent, retaining his collegiate eligibility if he withdraws from the draft by the May 8 deadline.
“Like so many young men, Mike has the goal of playing professional basketball,” Illinois Coach Bruce Weber said. “By going through this process, he can learn where he stands and receive valuable feedback that will help him continue to improve his game. We will assist him throughout this process and wish him the best of luck in pursuing his dream.”