On the same day when Georgia Tech hired Brian Gregory as their new basketball coach, Iman Shumpert has declared for the draft.
While Brian Gregory was was being introduced as Georgia Tech’s new basketball coach, his best player, point guard Iman Shumpert, tweeted that he is going declare for the NBA draft. He later tweeted that he had made up his mind before meeting Gregory at 4 p.m. Monday.
However, he said he hasn’t hired an agent, which means he can remove his name from the eligibility list. Former Tech player Gani Lawal did the same thing after his sophomore season before he went pro after his junior year. Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare. However, the NBA and the player’s union are facing a collective bargaining situation that could threaten the 2011-12 season.
Shumpert said that the decision was made prior to the selection of Gregory as the new basketball coach. That said, Shumpert has to wonder how his game fits into a new style and whether or not it could hurt his draft stock playing in a slower tempo. Under Paul Hewitt, Georgia Tech averaged nearly 70 possessions per game, while Dayton averaged 66 possessions per game.
