CINCINNATI -- Xavier men’s basketball standout Trevon Bluiett will test the NBA draft waters without hiring an agent for the second year in a row, ensuring valuable feedback from the pros and a return to the college game as long as he withdraws his name by the May 24 deadline.
Bluiett confirmed a Twitter report by Scout.com’s Evan Daniels Friday morning. His news comes just three days after teammate Edmond Sumner declared for the NBA draftwith plans to hire an agent, thus ending the point guard’s collegiate eligibility.
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While Bluiett has left the door open for a potential senior season, he may ultimately sign with an agent at the end of the process and proceed with his professional career. NBA mock draft sites that list Bluiett at all estimate he could go in the middle- or late second round.
The 6-foot-6 player had workouts last spring with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. NBA representatives liked his high-level shooting skills but wanted to see better ball handling, knowing his size at the pro level would make him more of a shooting guard than a small forward or stretch four.
Bluiett also was advised to change his physique. He dropped 15 pounds, entered the 2016-17 season at 198 pounds and successfully maintained his weight and conditioning throughout his junior season.
The Indianapolis native averaged a team-best 18.5 points with a team-second 5.7 rebounds in the Musketeers’ 24-14 (9-9 Big East) campaign. He willed the Musketeers to their first Elite Eight appearance since 2008, and third in school history, by averaging 21.3 points in postseason play against Maryland, Florida State, Arizona and Gonzaga.
RELATED: Sumner opens up about decision to go pro.
Bluiett scored a combined 75 points in the first three NCAA tournament games alone, distancing himself from low-scoring performances in his prior appearances in the tournament. He thrived on a national stage, allowing a greater audience to see his skills, and showed his ability to make big plays when they mattered most.
Bluiett also had a memorable performance in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout at Fifth Third Arena in January. He dropped a career-high 40 points in a loss to Cincinnati, tied a school record with nine three-pointers, and tallied the most points in Musketeers uniform since David West amassed 47 against Dayton in 2003.
A sprained ankle hampered Bluiett during the Musketeers’ six-game skid late in the season. He missed outings at Providence and Marquette in February, but returned to score double-figures in the rest of Xavier’s games.
Bluiett finished the season ranked 15th on Xavier’s all-time scoring list with 1,585 points. He needs just 12 points to pass Stan Kimbrough for the 14th slot and 135 points to crack the Top 10.
