LSU freshman guard Antonio Blakeney will enter his name into 2016 NBA Draft, yet will not hire an agent, further leaving himself the opportunity to return to LSU for his sophomore season, LSU announced on Friday.
“After meeting with my mom and the LSU Coaching Staff – I’ve decided to enter my name into the 2016 NBA Draft with the hopes of pursuing my dream of playing the game I love with the best in the world,” Blakeney said in a news release.
Along with the new rules implemented by the NBA and NCAA, Blakeney will remain eligible at LSU as long as he doesn’t acquire representation from a professional agency, and agent.
To remain eligible, Blakeney must remove his name from the official NBA Draft list up to 10 days after the NBA Combine on May 11-15.
“I will not hire an agent to keep my NCAA eligibility intact,” Blakeney said. “I love all the fans at LSU and would love for their support through this process.”
Blakeney will have the opportunity, if invited, to compete in the NBA Combine and participate in one workout per NBA team as a student.
Blakeney will be allowed to a maximum 20-hour workout week — four hours per day — from the time the invitation to the draft is accepted until his name is withdrawn from the draft.
“With the new rules that are in place, it will give Antonio an opportunity that wasn’t available to players in recent years,” said LSU coach Johnny Jones. “We are glad that he will take full advantage of these changes and we are very supportive of his decision.”
During his freshman season, Blakeney averaged 12.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 24 of 33 starts for the Tigers. The shooting guard also knocked in 52 3-pointers during his rookie season.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank God, my family, my coaches and teammates,” Blakeney said. “I’ve learned some valuable lessons during my freshman year. I’m excited about my future in basketball and look forward to improving on and off the court each day.
Blakeney becomes the third LSU underclassman from 2015-2016 team to submit his name for the draft, joining freshman forward Ben Simmons and junior guard Tim Quarterman. Both Simmons and Quarterman have hired agents, forgoing their remaining eligibility.
LSU is also losing three players from this past season’s roster to graduation – Keith Hornsby, Josh Gray and Henry Shortess.

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Haskell Whittington

LSU freshman guard Antonio Blakeney (2) celebrates after maing the first of two freethrow shots the LSU 96-91 victory against the Florida Gators on Saturday Feb. 27, 2016, in the PMAC.