Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Brown plans jump to NBA

GW basketball player SirValiant Brown said he is “92 percent” sure he will leave the University and enter the National Basketball Association draft. The sophomore guard said Wednesday that he expects to formally announce his departure from GW either late this week or sometime early next week.

“I’m just waiting,” Brown said repeatedly, referring to the timing of his announcement.

Brown said he talked with family members and close friends and has their support. The deadline for college players to make themselves eligible for the draft is May 13. Brown said he does not have an agent. As long as Brown does not sign a professional contract or hire an agent, the sophomore can come back to GW after the draft if he chooses.

GW head coach Tom Penders called The Hatchet late Wednesday night and said Brown might leave the Colonials.

“It’s his own life,” Penders said. “He’s got people he trusts who are talking to him, we’ve talked to him many times. If he makes that move it wouldn’t surprise me.”

Penders said he has talked with scouts who have said Brown can make it in the professional ranks.

But Penders said he would “prefer that (Val) finishes his education.”

GW Director of Athletics Jack Kvancz said Wednesday he was also aware of Brown’s interest in leaving and had known for some time. Kvancz said Brown talked to legendary Boston Celtics coach and GW alumnus Red Auerbach throughout the basketball season this year about heading to the NBA.

With the recent phone fraud incidents casting a shadow over the GW basketball program, Brown made it clear Wednesday he has not been involved in any way.

“I’ve got nothing to do with it,” he said.

Brown averaged 20.9 points a game during his first two seasons. His average dropped more than seven points from his freshman year, when Brown was the nation’s second-leading scorer. Brown shot just under 28 percent from three-point range (123-for-447) and shot 77 percent from the foul line (359-for-465) during his two years at GW.

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