Report: EMU’s Thompson, CMU’s Williams declare for NBA Draft

Al Willman of The Detroit News announced Tuesday night that two more MAC players have declared for the NBA Draft in June.

First up is James Thompson IV from Eastern Michigan. The 6’11” center averaged 14.6 points per game and 11.2 rebounds during the 2016-2017 campaign. He was selected to the second All-MAC team and his 4.8 offensive rebounds per game was the best in the MAC. He was also second in Division I basketball. He was also pretty exciting to watch. In the 2015-2016 season, he was selected as the MAC Freshman of the Year.

Kaleb Carter

Next up is Central Michigan’s Cecil Williams. The 6’6” forward averaged 8 points per game and 6 rebounds per game and saw starter’s minutes for the entire season at the power forward position, providing some wing help for the delightful duo of Marcus Keene and Braylon Rayson. This was Williams’ only season in the Maroon and Gold. He transferred to Central Michigan from Moberly Area Community College in Missouri.

Kenneth Bailey

Williams has not hired an agent, so he will be eligible to go back to CMU if he decides not to pursue the pros. There are currently no reports on whether or not Thompson has hired an agent. While I will be sad to see Thompson go, I wish him the best of luck and hope that he has a prosperous career if he does go.

The deadline for both payers to withdraw is May 24. Otherwise, they will have to hire an agent and proceed with the rest of the pre-Draft preparation and give up their remaining eligibility.