April 16, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State forward Lorrenzo Wade, who just completed his junior season, has submitted the necessary paperwork making him eligible for the upcoming 2008 NBA Draft. Wade can now participate in NBA-sponsored pre-draft camps and in workouts with NBA clubs beginning June 3.
A Las Vegas, Nev., product, Wade indicated that he will not hire an agent, allowing him to maintain his college eligibility as long as he withdraws from the NBA Draft by June 16.
San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher said the system is set up for rising seniors to take advantage.
"Lorrenzo and I have had numerous conversations and with my knowledge and blessing he has submitted his name for the 2008 NBA Draft," Fisher said. "He is doing this the right way and will allow himself an opportunity to make an informed decision. He will benefit by going through this process and I am sure that he will make the correct decision for himself, his family and San Diego State."
Wade, a 6-6, 226-pound forward, earned all-Mountain West Conference first-team honors this past season after averaging a team-best 14.8 points and 3.6 assists as a junior. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals after playing in all 33 games and making 31 starts. Wade had 27 double-figure scoring efforts this past season, including seven 20-point games. He also had a team-high tying two double-doubles, one vs. Wyoming and one at Colorado State.
"This is something that I planned to do all along," Wade said. "I feel like I had a decent season and that the adversity our team went through this season made me a better player. This is a prime opportunity, as a junior, to test the waters. Nothing is set in stone."
The Aztecs finished the season at 20-13 and earned a berth in the MasterCard NIT. It marked the third consecutive year in which San Diego State won at least 20 games and participated in postseason play.
Wade is the third Aztec in the past four seasons to make himself eligible for the NBA Draft as an early entrant. In 2005, Marcus Slaughter declared for the draft following his sophomore campaign and returned to school before ultimately declaring a second time in 2006 after his junior season taking away his remaining college eligibility. In 2006, Brandon Heath made himself available for the draft, but withdrew his name and returned to school for his senior season.