PROVO -- BYU junior forward/center Trent Plaisted announced Thursday that he will enter his name for the 2008 NBA Draft but will maintain his college eligibility by not hiring an agent, leaving open the option to return for his senior season with the Cougars.
"I have decided to put my name in and pursue my options with the NBA at this time," Plaisted said. "I am not signing with an agent because I want to leave open the possibility of coming back for my senior season. Playing professional basketball is definitely a goal of mine and we have a very good team here at BYU so, either way, I think my options are good."
By making himself eligible for the draft, Plaisted can be invited to pre-draft camps designed to evaluate potential draft choices and participate in workouts with NBA teams. College underclassmen have until April 27 to declare for the draft. Student-athletes who have not signed with an agent can return to college by withdrawing from the draft by June 16.
A 6-foot-11, 245-pound native of San Antonio, Texas, Plaisted is a three-time All-Mountain West Conference player who was a first-team selection this past season after averaging 15.6 points and a team-leading 7.7 rebounds per game. He helped the Cougars win their second-straight outright MWC regular-season title and earn their second-consecutive NCAA Tournament invitation. The Cougars appeared in the top-25 rankings for eight weeks and finished the year with a 27-8 record, the second-most wins in school history.
During his junior season in 2007-08, Plaisted averaged 20.6 points and 12.3 rebounds against top-10 competition. He scored 21 points with 12 rebounds in a win over No. 6 Louisville, helped BYU battle No. 1 North Carolina down to the wire with 24 points and 17 rebounds, and totaled 17 points and eight boards in another close setback against No. 9 Michigan State.
Plaisted has totaled 1,372 career points (13.3 ppg) to rank 14th all-time on the Cougars' scoring list while adding 686 rebounds (6.7 rpg) and 123 assists (1.2 apg). A left-hander known for his athleticism and ability to run the floor, Plaisted was the MWC Freshman of the Year and a Scout.com Freshman All-America Second Team selection in 2006. He received USBWA All-District honors in 2006 and 2008 while also garnering all-district accolades from the NABC in 2008. Including his redshirt season, Plaisted is currently finishing his fourth year at BYU while nearing the completion of his degree in economics. He is expected to graduate in August.