Lehigh's C.J. McCollum Declares For 2012 NBA Draft Without Agent

Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum, one of the nation's top college basketball scorers during the 2011-12 season, has declared himself eligible for the 2012 NBA Draft but has not hired an agent, leaving open the possibility of a return to school.

"This is a great opportunity for me to receive valuable information and feedback on my future," McCollum said as quoted in the school's press release. "Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine and I feel blessed to even be considered. Lehigh has given me the opportunity to not only play basketball, but to study at a prestigious academic institution as well. By not hiring an agent I leave myself the option of returning to school after my evaluation."

"I'm pleased that C.J. McCollum has the opportunity for exploration of professional basketball," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "I, as well as the Lehigh University athletic department, support him completely in this decision and we value the opportunity for him to continue to learn and grow."

"C.J. has been a wonderful representation of the balance between being a student and an athlete and has been a very productive contributor not only for our program, but also for our entire Lehigh Athletics community," Reed added.

McCollum averaged 21.9 points and 2.6 steals per game as a junior, both fifth in the nation, and added 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He led the Mountain Hawks past Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament, pouring in 30 points as Lehigh advanced out of the first round for the first time in school history.