Jordan Poole Staying In NBA Draft, Career At Michigan Over

Cover Image
Photo credit Michigan guard Jordan Poole reacts to hitting a basket against South Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Jordan Poole is officially done at Michigan. 

After declaring for the NBA Draft earlier this month, Poole announced on Tuesday that he will stay in the draft and thus end his college career. 

He's the third Michigan player to do so, joining Ignas Brazdeikis and Charles Matthews.

Poole made the announcement via Instagram. 

"There has been much consideration," he wrote, "but after weighing all my options and having many positive discussions, my family and I, along with Coach Beilein and the rest of the coaching staff, believe now is the right time for me to begin my professional basketball career. 

"It has been a dream of mine to play in the NBA. I feel I am ready to go after that dream." 

IT'S OFFICIAL! Jordan Poole will be staying in @NBADraftIn two 〽️-- seasons ⤵️✔️ 63-15 record✔️ 13-3 postseason record✔️✌️ B1G Tournament ----✔️✌️ straight Sweet 16s✔️A Final Four & National Title GameTHANK YOU JordanWISHING you nothing but success#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/opW3tzVEPa

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 23, 2019

In 37 games as a sophomore, Poole averaged 12.8 points and shot 36.9 percent from three. 

He isn't widely projected to be drafted, which makes his decision to leave school a bit puzzling. Poole is ranked No. 68 among this year's prospects, per ESPN, one spot ahead of Matthews. 
Brazdeikis, who was the first of the three to declare for the draft, is ranked No. 48. 

This level of attrition wasn't expected for Michigan, at least not in the eyes of John Beilein.

Following his team's loss in the Sweet 16, Beilein said, "We've got everybody back. We'll see. You never know. You've got transfers. Guys will look at the NBA. That same old thing. Charles will graduate so we expect him to go pro. If we have everybody (else) back, it's in really good shape." 

With the departures of Brazdeikis and Poole, Beilein has two open scholarships for 2019-20.