Marcus Smart to Enter NBA Draft
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Cooper Neill/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — Marcus Smart returned to Oklahoma State for his sophomore year with the goal of improving his draft stock. After a tumultuous second season, the guard has declared for the NBA draft.
“I had a great season here at Oklahoma State,” Smart told The Oklahoman newspaper. “I’ve told my teammates and my coaching staff, this year was my last year here and I am declaring for the NBA draft.”
Smart’s sophomore campaign was expected to be one of the best as the Cowboys were predicted to compete for a Big 12 Conference championship and play deep in the NCAA Tournament. However, between injuries and controversy, those expectations never game to fruition.
Oklahoma State lost post player Michael Cobbins to a season-ending injury in December before Stevie Clark was dismissed from the team in February. Smart was at the center of an altercation with a Texas Tech fan in February that resulted in a three-game suspension. Despite it all, Smart averaged 17.8 points per game to go along with 5.7 boards and 4.7 assists.
A 6’4″ guard, Smart and Oklahoma State lost to Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament before having their season ended by Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament. Smart is listed as the eighth best prospect according to ESPN’s Chad Ford.
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