Portis declares for NBA Draft

Arkansas forward Bobby Portis (10) and Georgia forward/center Yante Maten (1) wait for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Arkansas forward Bobby Portis (10) and Georgia forward/center Yante Maten (1) wait for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

— Arkansas sophomore Bobby Portis will forego his final two years of eligibility and enter the NBA Draft.

Portis announced the decision Tuesday on his Twitter page. The reigning SEC player of the year averaged team-highs 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds as a sophomore.

"Unbelievable experience for me at the University of Arkansas these past two years," Portis wrote on Twitter. "The love I have for this program is unconditional but I've decided to forego my junior year of college to take the next step and enter into the NBA Draft."

The Little Rock native is projected to be a first-round pick in June's draft. If so, he would be the first Arkansas player since Ronnie Brewer in 2006 to be drafted that high.

Portis became Arkansas' first SEC player of the year since 1995, helping the Razorbacks to their best record since the same season. Arkansas finished second in the SEC regular season and tournament, and the Razorbacks made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.

Arkansas beat Wofford at the NCAA Tournament before a second round loss to North Carolina ended the season. The Razorbacks finished with a 27-9 overall record.

Following the North Carolina game, Portis said he was leaning toward returning for another season, but said he would talk over the decision with his family and mentor, former Arkansas all-American Corliss Williamson.

"I'm leaning toward coming back just because we lost and I hate losing," Portis said after scoring 18 points and recording 14 rebounds against the Tar Heels. "I don't want to end my Razorback career as a loser.

"I love the Arkansas Razorbacks. I want to be a Hog forever."

Along with the loss of seniors Ky Madden and Alandise Harris, Portis' departure means the Razorbacks must replace at least 44.5 percent of their scoring, 44 percent of their rebounding and 44.7 percent of their assists from last season.

Guard Nick Babb has also transferred to Iowa State, freeing up a second scholarship for the program to potentially fill during the spring signing period, which begins this week.

Portis might not be the only player to declare for the draft. Arkansas junior Michael Qualls has yet to announce whether he will return to the Razorbacks. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is April 26.

Qualls was a second-team all-SEC selection last season and averaged 15.9 points per game.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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