Alex Tyus withdraws name from 2010 NBA Draft, sticks with Florida Gators for senior season

By Adam Silverstein
May 8, 2010

Likely against the wishes of much of his family who had been outspoken about his future, Florida Gators junior forward Alex Tyus has decided to remain with the team for his senior season, withdrawing his name from the 2010 NBA Draft.

After being evaluated by experts and working out for NBA teams (including the Portland Trailblazers on Friday), Tyus chose to stick around the University of Florida for one more season in an attempt to hone his skills and improve his stock before entering next year’s draft.

“When I began this process it was with the intent of gathering information to see what I needed to work on to one day compete at the next level, and I believe I have been successful in doing just that,” Tyus said. “I have withdrawn my name from the NBA Draft and look forward to completing my senior year at the University of Florida. We made tremendous strides as a team a year ago that I look forward to continuing to build upon.

NBA analysts projected Tyus to go undrafted this year should he have kept his name in the draft and hired and agent. Nevertheless, that is the path his father and uncle hoped he would take; both criticized head coach Billy Donovan for incorrectly utilizing Tyus, claiming he could be an “unbelievable small forward.”

Tyus will begin next season as the Gators’ starting power forward. Fellow senior Chandler Parsons will hold down the small forward job. The Florida basketball team will be returning all five starters for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

“I will be returning to Gator Nation! Let’s get ready to make a run boys!” he wrote on his personal Twitter account.

Photo Credit: Phil Sandin/Associated Press

7 Comments

  1. g8ter27 says:

    great decision both for the Gators and more importantly for you Alex….. congrats on making the right choice!

  2. zurbo says:

    I wish he would have left so his money grubbing father would look like a moron when he doesnt get drafted

  3. Jeff says:

    I’m stoked A.T. came back. He’s always been one of my favortite Gator players. High energy, hard worker, great dunker. It’s great for Billy D to have his starting five back, on top of a solid recruiting class that gives us plenty of front court depth (and hopefully some relief to the backcourt).

  4. armygator says:

    So who loses out on a scholarship for next year? I thought that we would be two over and his leaving would put us one over.

  5. JW says:

    Great news. It’s also great news that Bledsoe and Orton have decided to stay in the draft.

  6. armygator-

    If the Gators want to add PG Wilbekin, then two players must leave the program (most likely would be Tishman going back to Israel and Allen retiring).

    If the Gators are not concerned with adding PG Wilbekin, then one player would have to leave the program.

    However, it appears that they are doing everything possible to get him into school.

  7. JayV says:

    I am on board with this… would be sad to see that Allen is finally having to hang it up if that is the case, though.
    I pretty much have no feelings on Tishman.

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