LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville junior forward Jaylen Johnson will hire an agent and stay in the NBA draft.
The 6-foot-9 Johnson said Monday in a release that his decision followed a talk with coach Rick Pitino. Johnson added that it was important to help his family and promised to "work incredibly hard to give it my best shot. I'll be rooting for the Ville next year."
Pitino says Johnson is a valuable player who has "given me his heart and soul for the last three years. We wish him great success."
Johnson averaged 8 points and ranked second on the Cardinals with 5.8 rebounds per game last season while starting 26 of 34 contests. His 196 boards were just two behind leader Mangok Mathiang, who is graduating, and he had three double-doubles.
