Washington enters name for NBA Draft

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –- Arkansas junior forward Michael Washington has made himself available for the 2009 NBA Draft, but he has not signed with an agent, head coach John Pelphrey announced.

By not signing with an agent, Washington could retain his collegiate eligibility by withdrawing his name by June 15, allowing him to return to the Razorbacks for his senior season.

“Michael has put his name in the draft to test the waters, but he is not hiring an agent,” Pelphrey says. “We will continue to work with Michael to help make certain he has the best information available and makes an informed decision regarding his future. He is working out and continuing to work hard in school to finish the semester strong.”

Washington, a 6-9, 239-pounder from McGehee, earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press. He also earned All-District 21 honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches and All-District VII honors from the United States Basketball Writers Association.

In his first season as a starter, he led the SEC in rebounding (9.8), was ninth in scoring (15.5), third in field goal percentage (.551), eighth in blocked shots (1.3), second in offensive rebounding (3.5) and second in defensive rebounding (6.3).

He is Arkansas’ first conference rebounding champion since the Hogs had a three-year hold on the position with Derek Hood in 1997 (8.0), Nick Davis in 1998 (9.8) and Hood again in 1999 (10.3).

Washington led the team in scoring 13 times and in rebounding 21 times. He had 22 double-figure scoring games and 14 double-figure rebounding games with 12 double-doubles, the most for a Razorback since Hood set the school record with 18 in 1999. Washington also had nine 20-point games.