University of Miami point guard Shane Larkin is “torn” about leaving school but is leaning toward skipping his final two seasons and entering the NBA Draft, a source within the basketball program said.
Larkin, the ACC Player of the Year after leading the Hurricanes to regular-season and conference tournament championships, is facing an NBA deadline of midnight Sunday to make his decision. He’s considered a late first-round pick by most draft analysts.
If Larkin is on the way out, UM could soon have his replacement. Kansas State point guard Angel Rodriguez, a second-team All-Big 12 selection last season, announced on Monday that he is transferring and has UM atop the list of schools he would like to attend.
A graduate of Miami Krop High, Rodriguez said in a statement that he’s transferring to be closer to his mother and two younger brothers, who still live in his native Puerto Rico.
Rodriguez is expected to ask the NCAA for a waiver of its one-year transfer rule because of family hardship. If granted, Rodriguez would be eligible for the 2013-14 season.
At Kansas State last season, Rodriguez averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists and helped Kansas State finish 27-8 and earn a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.
The Hurricanes are interested in Rodriguez whether Larkin returns next season or not.
Larkin may not make his decision official until Sunday. With Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart choosing to remain in school, Larkin would be the third-ranked point guard if he enters the draft, according to most analysts, behind Michigan’s Trey Burke and Syracuse’s Micheal Carter-Williams.
If Larkin leaves, the Hurricanes will have lost their six leading scorers from last season’s Sweet 16 team.
UM hopes that Demetrius Henry, a 6-foot-9 forward from Brandon ranked No. 100 by Rivals in the class of 2013, fills one of those spots. Henry is expected to choose today between UM, South Carolina and USF.
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