Justin Smith, Al Durham declare for 2019 NBA Draft

On Tuesday the NBA released the full list of early entry candidates for the 2019 draft and a pair of Hoosiers on the list, Romeo Langford and Devonte Green, weren’t surprising as each of their declarations had been previously reported. Another pair of Hoosiers however, Aljami Durham and Justin Smith, were unexpectedly on the list.

The sophomores will join Green and Langford in the draft process which will allow them to receive feedback on where they stand as players and what parts of they’re game they need to improve upon.

Last season Durham averaged 8.3 points per game and was IU’s second-best three-point shooter, hitting just under 35 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. He also averaged 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. The guard had his best game of the season against St. Francis in IU’s NIT opener scoring an efficient 22 points while pulling down two rebounds and adding on a pair of assists.

Smith joined the starting lineup alongside Durham as a sophomore. The forward put up 8.2 points per game and pulled down 4.5 rebounds per game while regularly guarding the opponent’s best player. He was a big factor in IU’s home win over Michigan State as he scored 24 points while hitting three of six shots from deep and grabbing four boards.

The pair still has the option to withdraw from the draft and return to IU, but they have to do so by Wednesday, May 29 if they want to retain their college eligibility.