Chapter 145 Draft

Tang Tian's words came as a surprise. After the awards ceremony, Walker pulled him aside to chat.

"Tang, are you also declaring this year?" Walker asked, full of surprise.

Walker had been training in college for three years, and now he was finally getting his wish. Although it wasn't public yet, declaring was almost a certainty.

But Tang Tian was different. Tang Tian was only a freshman, and besides defense and three-pointers, he hadn't shown many other skills. It would be a much better choice for him to stay another year with Lamb, to hone his skills.

"Yeah," Tang Tian nodded.

"Why don't you stay another year? If you declare this year, you'll likely be picked in the second round, which isn't a good spot. But if you stay another year, you can show more skills, and your stats will look better," Walker said.

"No, you're leaving. UConn's ceiling is right here. There won't be as much exposure. Next year, I might not even get picked in the second round," Tang Tian replied with a smile.

"How about… I stay another year?" Walker suggested. The fact that he said this showed how much he cared about Tang Tian.

"Stay for what? If you don't go to the NBA now, what are you wasting your time doing in college!" Tang Tian glared at him.

"Alright, it's actually the same. It's great to declare with you," Tang Tian said, putting his arm around Walker's shoulder, seeing that he was about to say something else.

He definitely couldn't tell Walker his real reason. This krypton gold system, the most important thing was to make money, and it was too restricted in the NCAA.

On the other hand, if he declared, even if it was just the second round, as long as he could earn the starting capital, getting started would be a matter of time.

Walker nodded without saying anything more. Declaring with his brother was also a great joy in life.

After the awards ceremony, the UConn players completed the championship net-cutting ceremony, taking their own souvenirs. The players shouted as they returned to the locker room to continue celebrating, where they had champagne prepared in advance.

Unlike the time they sprayed Tang Tian, this time the champagne was of good quality and not expired.

One after another, the strong men, including head coach Calhoun and assistant coach Ollie, were all soaked in the locker room in no time.

When the celebration was over, Tang Tian chatted with Calhoun for a while, roughly meaning that he would announce his declaration at the press conference later.

Calhoun was a little surprised, but he supported Tang Tian's choice.

Tang Tian's NCAA performance this year was quite dazzling, second only to Walker at UConn. The draft was about talent, and Tang Tian had the talent and opportunity to knock on the door of the NBA.

And to put it bluntly, he had achieved success and fame, so he didn't need to painstakingly persuade Tang Tian to stay in school like he had persuaded Walker last year.

"I will hire an agent and participate in the 2011 NBA Draft."

When Tang Tian announced this news at the press conference, the reporters below stirred.

This year, Tang Tian played in 30 regular season games, averaging 23.6 minutes per game, contributing 8.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks, with a field goal percentage of 42% and a three-point percentage of 49%.

In the tournament stage, he played in all 7 games, averaging 28.8 minutes per game, contributing 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks, with a field goal percentage of 45% and a three-point percentage of 67%.

Among them, in the tournament stage, his average score was second only to Walker at UConn, and he was the team's second-leading scorer. His three-point percentage was the highest among all players (with more than 5 attempts).

Tang Tian's performance in the NCAA this year was quite outstanding as a freshman.

However, generally, rookies would choose to announce whether to declare in late April or even May. Tang Tian announced it just after the finals, which was a bit early!

"Yes, I will participate in the draft with Tang," Walker followed closely.

Walker's original plan was to make a final decision after chatting with Calhoun and Ollie a little later. After all, he had a lot of feelings for UConn, and whether he participated in the draft had a great impact on UConn's strength.

But since Tang Tian had already announced it, he didn't need to hesitate any longer.

As soon as Walker said this, the reporters below stirred even more.

UConn's first and second leading scorers were both declaring?

"Coach Calhoun, do you support their decision?" The reporter turned the question to Calhoun.

"Yes, I support them. No matter what decision they make, I believe it is made after careful consideration. As a coach, I unconditionally support them," Calhoun said with a smile.

At this time, Ollie, who was sitting on the far side, turned pale.

He had been a little dazed since Tang Tian announced his declaration. Tang Tian and Walker, the two biggest contributors to the championship, were both leaving, leaving him with only Lamb to play with next year?

And Calhoun's words didn't consider him at all!

It was over, it was over. Next year, he really could only play eggs.

After the press conference, the news of Walker and Tang Tian declaring quickly exploded in the media circle, and even ESPN and TNT released the news immediately.

This was Tang Tian's cleverness.

For the draft, if you've already decided, grabbing the first spot is definitely not a bad thing.

Moreover, they had just won the championship, and the popularity was at its highest, so the attention they attracted was naturally the most.

Being so heavily reported by the media would definitely help their draft prospects.

Of course, this summer would be very long. Announcing the declaration was only the first step for Tang Tian to end his NCAA journey. The draft, making money, special training, streetball games… he would have a very full summer.

"Tang, have you thought about who to find as your agent?" After the press conference, Walker pulled Tang Tian and said.

Participating in the draft was not just announcing your participation. Because the follow-up would involve draft registration, physical testing, signing contracts, and a series of other things, unless you were really as energetic as "Old Driver" (Dirk Nowitzki), it was better to hire an agent.

"Not yet," Tang Tian shook his head. His previous energy had been focused on the game, and he really hadn't had time to consider the matter of an agent.

"We'll look together then. I've already considered a few good ones," Walker said. He didn't forget to include Tang Tian in everything.

Tang Tian nodded.

Although he hadn't considered who to find as an agent, it didn't mean he didn't understand the agent industry. On the contrary, because of his previous life experience, he knew more than Walker.

So, he basically had a general direction now.

The krypton gold system wanted him to make more money, so naturally he had to find someone who could help him make more money. Those agents with a bunch of garbage contracts under their control were exactly what he needed.

You should know that in the agent industry, being able to create garbage contracts meant they were strong negotiators.

Speaking of which, Walker's agent in his previous life was also very bad, always working as a child laborer in the Bobcats (Hornets). If the two of them looked together, it would be helping Walker as well, killing two birds with one stone.