April 20, 2009
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech sophomore Gani Lawal said Monday he will enter his name in the NBA draft, but will not hire an agent in order to maintain his option of returning to Tech for his junior year.
Lawal, a 6-9 forward from Norcross, Ga., has until June 15 to remove his name from the draft.
“I intend to put my name in the draft and go through the interview and workout process and see where I might fit in,” Lawal said. “I want to keep my options open for staying at Tech, but I think it’s important to gather all the necessary information.”
“We wish Gani the best as he goes through this fact-finding mission,” head coach Paul Hewitt said, “and we will continue to support him and his family as they go through this process.”
Lawal made great strides for the Yellow Jackets in his sophomore year, averaging 15.1 points and a team-high 9.5 rebounds per game, and was statistically the most improved player in the Atlantic Coast Conference. A third-team All-ACC selection in 2009, Lawal finished second in the conference in rebounding and field goal percentage (55.6 pct.). He posted 15 double-doubles in points and rebounding, leading the ACC, during the year.
