Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse basketball forward Tyler Lydon will sign with an agent and enter the NBA Draft, according to a report from Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
During a 3 p.m. news conference today, Jim Boeheim said he had spoken with Lydon two hours earlier. Lydon told him then -- at 1 p.m. -- that he had not signed with an agent.
Lydon, the 6-foot-9 sophomore forward, has been mentioned all season as a potential early entry candidate for the 2017 NBA Draft. He said last Saturday, after the Orange lost to Mississippi in the second round of the NIT, that he had not decided on whether to stay at Syracuse or test the NBA waters. He was expected to spend the weekend talking with his family about his options.
Lydon finished his sophomore year averaging 13.2 points and a team-high 8.6 rebounds per game. He was 49-for-124 from the 3-point line, nearly mirroring his 49-of-122 effort his freshman season.
In two seasons, Lydon made nearly 40 percent of his 3-point shots and improved his rebounding numbers. He did so under a constant cloud of scrutiny, with Syracuse's fan base wondering whether he would return for his junior year, or whether he would declare for the draft.
Lydon had been close with SU assistant Mike Hopkins, who was named Sunday as the head coach at the University of Washington. Hopkins recruited Lydon, who called Hopkins one of the reasons he chose the Orange.
So happy for @Coach_Hopkins ! Thank you for all you've taught me, on and off the court! Family forever! pic.twitter.com/tcQ2j5Jq5Q
-- Tyler Lydon (@Tyler_Lydon14)
Lydon, who lives in Elizaville, N.Y., is close to his family. His parents, Tim and Susan, and his younger brother attended many SU games this season, both in the Carrier Dome and on the road.
Lydon's skill set -- his ability to knock down 3-point shots in particular -- will be a valuable commodity to NBA franchises. He will be able to showcase his shooting skills at that level, plus develop his ability to put the ball on the floor to get past defenders.