Isaiah Thomas leaving Washington for NBA

By Jessamyn McIntyre and Brady Henderson

Washington’s Isaiah Thomas announced Thursday that he will forgo his senior season and enter his name in the NBA draft.

In a statement, Thomas said, “Over the past 3 years I’ve enjoyed every single minute of my Washington Husky career. I am very thankful to have played for a great coach like Coach Romar and our entire coaching staff.”

Thomas said he will not hire an agent “anytime soon.” Without an agent, he has until June 13th — 10 days before the draft — to withdraw and return for his senior season. But he indicated several times during a conference call on Thursday that he is certain of his decision. He assured reporters it was not an early April fools joke.

“I’m definitely not conflicted,” he said. “I know what I want to do. Like I announced today, that’s what I’m going to do. It sucks that I’m leaving the best college in the world in the University of Washington, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for me and my family.”

Immediately after Washington’s loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, Thomas gave conflicting messages about his plans. He tweeted his intention to return, but was noncommittal when asked by reporters.

The next day, he told the Calabro show he’d weigh his options and make a decision within a week or two. Coach Lorenzo Romar told the Bob & Groz show earlier in the day that the decision would weigh heavily on the feedback he received from NBA teams regarding where he’d likely be taken in the draft.

Thomas said Tuesday that he’s heard from “a few guys” that he’d likely be drafted mid-first round or early in the second round.

“I feel like with the guards coming out this year, I have a really, really good chance of going high in this draft,” he said. “I feel like I can showcase my talents. Like I said, I don’t feel like it’s a real strong draft class with the point guards this year.”

Thomas was an honorable mention Associated Press All-American last season. His 16.8 points per game led the Huskies and was fourth in the Pac-10. He ranks sixth on Washington’s career scoring list with 1,721 career points, 352 shy of Christian Welp’s all-time record.

“That wasn’t really big for me,” he said of the chance to become UW’s all-time scoring leader.

Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said in a statement, “Isaiah Thomas has had an unbelievable impact on our program during his time with us. We will definitely miss him, but we are behind him in his quest to fulfill a lifelong dream to play in the NBA.”

In his statement, Thomas said he has just over two quarters left to earn his degree, which he plans to do.

You can listen to part of the conference call with Isaiah Thomas here. Percy Allen of The Seattle Times joined Bob & Groz on Thursday to discuss Thomas’ decision. You can listen to Allen here.

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