EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State junior Shannon Brown will enter his name in the NBA draft but hasn't hired an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning to college.
"My lifelong dream has been to be an NBA player," Brown said Monday. "By testing the draft waters, I am allowing myself to make a more informed decision while keeping all my options open."
Brown averaged 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season at Michigan State, and shared team MVP honors with Paul Davis and Maurice Ager. While he had a solid season, he didn't finish well, scoring five points on 2-of-11 shooting in a first-round loss to George Mason in the NCAA Tournament.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard from Maywood, Ill., is expected to compete at the NBA's pre-draft camp from June 6-10 in Orlando, Fla., where he will be able to gauge what league scouts think of his game. Brown is regarded as a player that is expected to be drafted late in the first or early in the second round, if he stays in the draft.
He has until June 18 to pull his name out of the draft, which will be held June 28.
"I think Shannon is definitely an NBA player," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "Whether it will be this year or next year, I don't know."
Izzo said he has been in regular contact with Brown and Brown's family regarding the situation. Izzo said Brown owes it to himself and his family to make the most informed decision he can make.
"I really do feel comfortable that the right decision will be made," Izzo said.