April 7, 2006
SAN DIEGO - Brandon Heath, who recently completed his junior season at San Diego State, has submitted paperwork making him available for the NBA Draft.
This will allow Heath to participate in workouts with teams and in league-sponsored pre-draft camps. Heath indicated that he will not hire an agent, allowing him to maintain college eligibility as long as he withdraws from the NBA Draft. The 2006 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 28.
"This is a win-win situation," Heath said. "I feel my decision benefits everybody. If I come back to school it will help me as an individual to get better in areas in which I need to improve. It will also make our team better next season because of the experience and leadership I will be able to bring to the team."
"I have been working very closely with Brandon and his family and it is with our blessing that he has put his name into the draft," head coach Steve Fisher said. "Brandon will be able to take advantage and benefit from the rule and find out where he stands in the eyes of NBA coaches and general managers, while still maintaining the option of returning to San Diego State. We will continue to work closely with Brandon and if he is a first round pick, we will advise him to go. We are extremely proud of what Brandon has done for himself, for the University and San Diego State basketball, both on the court and in the classroom."
Heath, a 6-4, 198-pound guard, earned Mountain West Conference player-of-the-year honors this past season, as he led the league in both scoring (18.4) and three-point field goals per game (2.97). He was the only SDSU player to start all 33 games and helped lead the Aztecs to a 24-9 record, their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002 and their first regular-season conference title since 1978. Heath ranked among the top 66 nationally in scoring, three-point field goals made, three-point field goal percentage and free-throw percentage.
Heath becomes the second San Diego State underclassman to declare for the NBA Draft. Last week, Marcus Slaughter announced that he had entered the draft. However, Slaughter's decision requires him to forego his senior year of college eligibility because it is the second time he has declared for the draft.