Lamb sets sights on NBA draft

Storrs, Conn. (WTNH) --- Jeremy Lamb announced Tuesday they he will forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility in order to make himself available for the upcoming NBA draft.

"It was a difficult decision, but after much prayer and discussion with my parents,  I feel that it's in the best interest of me and my family to declare myself eligible for the upcoming NBA Draft and pursue my dream of playing professional basketball," Lamb said. "I have very much enjoyed my two years at UConn, especially getting to experience one of the greatest feelings that a college player can have, winning the national championship."

19-year-old Lamb, started every game for the Huskies last season and led the team in scoring at 17.7 points per game. He also averaged 4.9 rebounds as he was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team. He scored in double figures in 31 games, led the Huskies in scoring 17 times, scored 30 or more points in two games and 20 or more 10 times.

Last season, Lamb became just the sixth sophomore in UConn history to score 1,000 career points. His total of 1,060 points rank him No. 42 on UConn's all-time scoring list. He is only the 11th player in UConn history to score as many as 600 points (603) in one season.

"It's never easy to lose a great player from your program, but Jeremy has a unique opportunity that he needs to take advantage of," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. "He's been a great kid to coach for the past two years … his teams have won 52 games, been to two NCAA Tournaments, and won a national championship. I look forward to him developing into a terrific player in the NBA and secondly, as he's promised me, to come back and finish his degree."

Lamb becomes the 14th UConn player under Calhoun to leave school early to enter the NBA Draft. All but one of the previous 13 were drafted in the first round.