Lee Cummard',this.href); return false">Watch Lee Cummard Try A Career Other Than Basketball
PROVO -- BYU guard Lee Cummard has decided to withdraw his name from the 2008 NBA Draft and will return to BYU for his senior season.
"There's no doubt that I could be a pro, but right now I think it's best for me to stay in school and delay taking part in the draft until next year," Cummard said. "I felt good about the feedback I received from my workouts. The process was very positive for me, and I look forward to being part of next year's NBA Draft after finishing out my college career at BYU."
Cummard first announced on April 25 that he was entering his name for the NBA Draft but not hiring an agent to maintain his eligibility for his senior season. College underclassmen who have not signed with an agent have until Monday to pull out of the June 26 draft if they want to resume their college careers.
The 6-foot-7 Cummard was the Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year and received Associated Press All-America honorable mention this past season as a junior. The do-everything swingman led the Cougars in scoring (15.8), field-goal percentage (.569), three-point percentage (.472) and blocked shots (1.0) while ranking second in rebounds (6.3), assists (3.5), steals (0.9) and free-throw percentage (.857).
A three-year starter and top perimeter defender, Cummard has helped the Cougars achieve a 72-26 (.735) record and three straight postseason invitations, including NCAA Tournament bids the last two years. Under the tutelage of third-year BYU coach Dave Rose, Cummard and the Cougars have earned recognition in the top-25 rankings during each of the past two seasons while becoming the first MWC team to achieve back-to-back outright MWC championships. The Cougars defeated No. 6 Louisville and earned a 27-8 record in 2007-08, the second-most wins in school history.
Cummard was one of two BYU players to declare for this year's NBA Draft. Fellow junior Trent Plaisted, a 6-11 All-MWC First Team center, decided to hire an agent and stay in the draft. Plaisted was second to Cummard in scoring at 15.6 points per game last season.
A native of Mesa, Ariz., Cummard worked out for the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls.
"Lee got great feedback from the teams that watched him play, but he took his name out because he is also really excited to come back and help us try to win another championship," Rose said. "He had a terrific junior year, and I expect he will have a great senior season and be in good position for next year's NBA Draft."