
Syracuse forward Jerami Grant will forgo his final two years of eligibility and declare for the 2014 NBA Draft, Grant announced on Monday afternoon.
“After extensive discussions with my family and coaches, I have decided to pursue my dream of playing professional basketball and enter the 2014 NBA Draft,” Grant said in a release. “I am so thankful to coach Boeheim and the rest of the Orange coaching staff for guiding me throughout my college career, and am grateful to my teammates for two incredible seasons. I am excited to start my journey in the NBA, but I also look forward to finishing my college degree. I cannot thank my coaches, teammates and the entire Orange community enough for all of their support.”

Grant averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in his sophomore season, and was named an Honorable Mention for All-ACC honors. But Grant injured his back toward the end of the season, and scored just four points in Syracuse’s final game against Dayton in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
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“We’d like to thank Jerami for his tremendous contribution to Syracuse Basketball over the last two years,” Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim said. “We wish him well in all of his future endeavors.”
Grant is projected as a mid-to-late round pick on several mock drafts. NBADraft.net has Grant going to the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 13th overall pick. Grant is the second underclassmen to leave Syracuse, joining freshman guard Tyler Ennis, who declared for the draft on March 27.
Syracuse also loses senior front line players CJ Fair and Baye Moussa Keita.
This story was first reported by Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated.
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