Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Monroe Announces He Will Declare for Draft

Greg Monroe, who averaged 16.1 points per game this season, is the third Hoya to forgo eligibility and declare for the draft in the last four years.
Greg Monroe, who averaged 16.1 points per game this season, is the third Hoya to forgo eligibility and declare for the draft in the last four years.

After weeks of speculation, Georgetown has announced sophomore center Greg Monroe has decided to forgo his final two years of college and enter the NBA draft, according to a press release. Monroe plans to sign with an agent.

Monroe, who was named a first team all-Big East selection and a third team All-American this year, averaged 16.1 points 9.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists

“Greg and I, along with his family, have examined the situation and he has made an educated decision,” Head Coach John Thompson III said in the release. “We have watched him grow as a player and as a young man while here at Georgetown. We support him and I look forward to watching and cheering him on for many years to come.”

Monroe had told the press in the moments after Georgetown’s 97-83 loss to Ohio in the first round of the NCAA tournament that he would be back at Georgetown for another season, but says that after careful review he decided to make the jump to the NBA.

“It was mentally what I wanted to do,” Monroe said. “I feel like I’m ready to make this step after working with our coaches for two years. I’ve enjoyed being able to represent Georgetown. I’ve enjoyed my experience and while I am leaving campus, I still will always be part of Georgetown.”

Widely considered a lottery pick in the NBA draft following his freshman year, Monroe, who averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists that season en route to being named Big East rookie of the year, chose to return to Georgetown for his sophomore season.

Showing more assertiveness during his sophomore campaign, Monroe saw increases in points, rebounds and assists. In December against Butler at Madison Square Garden, Monroe dominated the Bulldogs for 24 points and 15 rebounds in a 72-65 win. A month later Monroe dropped a career-high 29 points and 16 rebounds in a losing effort to Villanova on the road. Following an eight-point performance at Syracuse in January, Monroe scored in double figures in each of his last 15 games.

Always considered one of the best passing big men in the country, Monroe had a career-high 12 assists against Providence.

Monroe was named to the Big East all-Tournament team after he led the Hoyas to the Big East championship game, averaging 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

Constantly compared to the other great centers to play at Georgetown, Monroe tried to deflect the comparisons.

“The history here as far as big men is great,” he told reporters in March. “There’s no secret about that. I just come in and try to do what I can.”

In leaving, Monroe becomes the third Hoya to forgo eligibility and declare for the draft in the last four years. Jeff Green left after his junior year before being selected fifth in the draft and DaJuan Summers also left after his junior season being selected by the Pistons with the 35th overall pick.

Monroe is expected to be a top-10 pick according to most draft websites, with NBAdraft.net predicting that he will be selected sixth and DraftExpress.com placing him at ninth on their draft board.

Monroe leaves Georgetown just 58 points shy of 1,000 points at 942 point for his career. He started 64 times in 65 games. He had 17 double-doubles in his two seasons at Georgetown.

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