PHILADELPHIA, May 13 (UPI) -- Star guard Jameer Nelson of St. Joseph's has declared for the NBA draft, although he will leave open his option of returning to college.
Nelson made the announcement at a Tuesday morning news conference. The junior filed with the NBA office on Monday, the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft.
While he plans on attending the NBA's invitation-only pre-draft camp in Chicago, Nelson will not sign with an agent, allowing him to return for his final year of eligibility if he chooses to withdraw his name from the draft by June 19.
The NBA draft will be held June 26 in New York.
Nelson guided the Hawks to their second at-large NCAA Tournament berth in the last three seasons in March. He nearly single-handedly won a first-round game against Auburn, totaling 32 points and nine rebounds in a 65-63 overtime loss.
The 6-0, 190-pounder averaged 19.7 points and 4.7 assists per game as a junior. The two-time first-team All-Conference selection in the Atlantic 10 is second in school history with 543 assists and 17th with 1,435 points.
