Nebraska freshman Bryce McGowans will run for the 2022 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Monday.
“I’m planning to waive college eligibility and hire agent Drew Gross from Roc Nation Sports,” McGowans said.
McGowans, the No. 30 prospect in the ESPN 100, was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team and Conference Third Team after averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Cornhuskers.
“The opportunity to play with my brother was amazing,” he said. “The season went well. It was great to connect with my teammates, learn from my coaches and have college basketball experience. I felt that in every game, every week I progressed in a different way. Whether it’s on defense, playing more effectively or being more of a leader. I was able to learn a lot on and off the court in Nebraska and how to act like a pro.”
McGowans was named South Carolina’s Gatorade Player of the Year after graduating from Legacy Early High School. He was the highest ranked rookie in the program’s history, choosing to play with his older brother Trey, the eldest who transferred from Pitt, allowing the siblings to be on the same team for the first time since they were 5 and 8 years old. . McGowans parents, now educators, were both Division I athletes. His father, Bobby, played basketball and football in South Carolina State, and his mother, Pam, played basketball in West Carolina State.
At 6’6″, McGowans is considered one of the most talented young wingers in the draft class. He had his best end-of-season basketball, averaging 20 points per game in the last 12 games of the Big Ten regular season. He is an agile, versatile goal player with long reach in the pull-up jumper and creative finishing with either hand around the basket, breaking several freshman scoring records in Nebraska.
“The NBA teams were able to see how versatile I can be. I can throw the ball well, I can handle the ball, pass, play all three backcourt positions and score at all three levels,” McGowans said. “Although we didn’t win much, I hope the teams were able to see that I have a competitive and winning spirit. I have shown that I can gain weight well. I’m looking for the best team now, but would definitely like to squeeze into the lottery. I want to show the teams that I’m one of the best players in the draft.”
The NBA draft will take place on June 23, and the NBA draft combine will be held in Chicago on May 16-22.
Jonathan Zhivoni is an NBA draft expert and founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analysis service used by the NBA, NCAA and international teams.