Creighton’s freshman phenom Justin Patton is headed for the NBA, ending weeks of speculation with a press release on Wednesday. It wasn’t an unexpected decision, as Patton leaving early for the NBA seemed like a foregone conclusion by midseason — the only question was this year or next, and if he’d hire an agent or simply test the waters following his freshman season.
The Big East Freshman of the Year will indeed leave after this season, and by signing with ASM Sports Agency there’s no turning back: Patton’s collegiate career is over. Projected by almost every analyst to be chosen in the first 20 picks of this summer’s NBA Draft, including Sports Illustrated (12th), and DraftExpress (17th), ESPN (18th) and CBS Sports (19th), he’ll head to the professional ranks as an enticing prospect to just about every team in the league.