In the weeks since the transfer portal opened, the Ivy League has seen a flurry of star players leave the conference, including Yale's Danny Wolf, Harvard's Malik Mack and Brown's Nana Owusu-Ane. But Princeton's star players, sophomore guard Xavien Lee and sophomore forward Kayden Pierce, remained firmly in the Orange bubble until Friday night, when Lee did not enter the transfer portal. , rather, he jumped at the chance to declare for the NBA Draft.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported that Tiger standout Shaibian Lee will declare for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.
Princeton University sophomore G. Lee averaged 17 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists and earned first-team All-Ivy honors.contract with lee @GeorgeLangberg GSL as a representative. pic.twitter.com/Am8OIk2j8k
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 5, 2024
“I think it was a wise move,” Lee said in an interview with the Daily Princetonian. “Not necessarily going to the NBA, but just testing the waters and seeing where I stand against that level of competition… It's ultimately going to make me better and help me in the future. It’s a way of establishing yourself towards.”
Lee has until May 29 to decide on his future before declaring for the draft. If Lee chooses to remain in the draft past May 29, he will lose his college eligibility.
“That was the important part. [maintaining my eligibility]' added Mr Lee. “I'm going into this process… with an open mind and definitely going back to school.”
Lee is attempting something that has only happened once since 1996: being drafted from the Ivy League to the NBA. One such player is Mie Oni of Yale University. He declared early after his junior year and was taken with the 58th pick in the 2019 draft, but has struggled to adjust to the NBA and currently plays in the G League.
“I think everyone has a goal of making it to the NBA, but this is just the first step in that process,” Lee told The Prince.
Lee is represented by Greg Langerg, founder and CEO of GSL Sports Group, the agency for former Tiger Star and current Detroit Pistons forward Tosan Ebbuomwan ’23. I will serve. Evbuomwan is the only Ivy League player in the NBA to start on a Detroit roster that has been severely understaffed of late.
“I've been going through that process and talking to a lot of different people, George.” [Langberg] He seemed like a very nice guy, very easy to talk to, and I think he believed in me and understood who I was as a person and as a player,” Lee added. Ta.
Although the circumstances of Ebbuomwan and Lee are different, Ebbbuomwan has graduated from Princeton University at the time of the declaration, and Lee is still only a growing junior, but Lee still looks to Ebbbuomwan for guidance.
“I did talk to Tosan.” [Evbuomwan] We are going through this process,” Lee said. “We talked for a few hours on the phone here and there. He guided me through the process…not in terms of actually making a decision, but mentally, he's already been through the process. doing.”
Princeton star PG Xavien Li played in today's game against Harvard.
33 points
8 rebounds
8 assists (1TOV)
13-22 FGLee is really good…he's crafty, he can shoot, he makes his teammates better and he consistently provides winning basketball.
He showed up today as NBA scouts watched. pic.twitter.com/yEInKnVyZJ
— PDT (@PDTScouting) January 6, 2024
Lee became a core part of the Tigers' team after seeing limited playing time during his rookie season at Old Nassau. Following a summer in which Lee shined with Canada at the 2023 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, Lee had a great season in his second year, averaging 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
At the end of the season, Lee was tied with teammate Caden Pearce for the lead in points in conference play within the Ivy League. He was named to the All-Ivy first team as one of four unanimous selections. He was also a finalist for the Lou Henson Player of the Year Award, given to the best mid-major player in college basketball.
It's hard to say how Lee's game will translate to the NBA. Offensively, he has made over 60 percent of his field goals without assists, and his unique style of play can be a headache for opposing defenses. His biggest concern for scouts will probably be on the defensive side of the ball. Lee definitely has the lateral quickness needed on the defensive end, but his lean frame is an overall concern due to his size and physicality in the NBA.
The next eight weeks will be critical for Lee. While teaching four courses at Princeton, Lee will attend the NBA Draft Combine, scheduled for May 12-19, and could potentially schedule various pre-draft workouts with interested organizations. is high.
“I think it's probably going to take quite a while to convince me to stay here.” [the NBA draft]” Lee pointed out. “I'm really excited to see what happens and I'm open to the process. I think it's going to be a lot of fun. That's basketball.”
Although question marks remain as to whether he will be a good fit for the Tigers in November, Lee remains grateful for the support the Tigers have received from the community and school this season.
“We are so grateful for the amazing support we have received this year,” Lee said. “It was a lot of fun and an honor to be able to play in front of everyone.” [fans] …I'm looking forward to seeing how it grows. ”
Hayk Yengibarian is Prince's deputy sports editor.
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