Michigan basketball player Jett Howard has announced that he will be entering the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his college eligibility. The news was confirmed by the university on Thursday.
The decision comes as no surprise to many, as Howard is considered one of the most talented prospects in college basketball. He had a strong debut season with the Wolverines last year and has been garnering attention from NBA scouts since then.
Howard's father, Juwan Howard, is also Michigan's head coach. In a statement released by the university, Juwan expressed his support for his son's decision: "As a father and coach, I am extremely proud of Jett and all that he has accomplished so far in his career. We wish him nothing but success as he takes this next step towards achieving his dreams."
Jett Howard played in 25 games for Michigan last season, averaging 4.9 points per game while shooting 44% from beyond the arc. He made significant contributions to helping lead the Wolverines to an Elite Eight appearance in March Madness.
Many experts believe that Howard has what it takes to make it at the professional level and could potentially be selected early in next year's draft.
"Jett is an incredibly talented player who possesses great athleticism and a high basketball IQ," said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. "He has shown tremendous potential during his time at Michigan and I have no doubt that he will continue to develop into an elite player at the next level."
Howard joins several other top college players who have declared for this year's draft including Duke University standout Paolo Banchero and Gonzaga guard Chet Holmgren.
The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on June 23rd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.