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Baylor guard Butler declares for NBA Draft

After a stellar sophomore campaign, Baylor's point guard will explore the draft without hiring an agent.
Credit: Kurtis Quillin/KCEN
Jared Butler (12) drives into the paint during a Big 12 Conference men's basketball game between No. 2 Baylor and Iowa State at the Ferrell Center in Waco on Jan. 15, 2020. Baylor won, 68-55, its 13th straight win.

WACO, Texas — A second Baylor basketball player will explore leaving the college game for the NBA this off-season.

Jared Butler announced on Twitter he has declared for the NBA draft but has not hired an agent, yet.

The announcement Monday puts Butler with sharp-shooter MaCio Teague who made a similar announcement last year.

Butler averaged 16.0 points, 3.13 assists per game as a sophomore this season. He was instrumental in guiding the Bears to their best Big 12 season since joining the conference.

"Playing in the NBA has been a lifelong goal and I am excited for these next steps in my basketball journey," Butler said in his tweet. "I am excited for these next steps in my basketball journey. While I explore my NBA options, I will be maintaining my college eligibility and reserving the option to return to Baylor next year!"

Tuesday is the last day for early entry eligibility in the 2020 NBA Draft. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA Combine was scheduled for May 21-24 with the withdrawal deadline scheduled for May 29th.

The status of those dates, and the draft itself, is unclear due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Should Teague and Butler both stay in the draft, the Bears will have to replace them, Devonte Bandoo and forward Freddie Gillespie, who graduate this semester alongside Obim Okeke.

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