BYU Athletic Communications

BYU junior guard Lee Cummard announced Friday that he will enter his name for the 2008 NBA Draft, but he will maintain his eligibility for his senior season of college because he won't hire an agent.

The 6-foot-7 Cummard is the second Cougar player to explore his options in this year's NBA Draft, joining 6-foot-11 junior forward/center Trent Plaisted, who also did not hire an agent to keep open the option of a return to BYU next season.

"I want to see where I stand against some of the best competition in the world and see what my options are at that level," Cummard said.

"I'm not hiring an agent because I want to keep open the opportunity to stay at BYU, but I'm going after this 100 percent. I'm looking to improve myself and make the best decision I can."

A native of Mesa, Ariz., Cummard was the Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year and received Associated Press All-America honorable mention this past season.

The do-everything junior swingman led the Cougars in scoring (15.8), field-goal percentage (.569), three-point percentage (.472) and blocked shots (1.0) while ranking second in rebounds (6.3), assists (3.5), steals (0.9) and free-throw percentage (.857).

A three-year starter and top perimeter defender, Cummard has helped the Cougars achieve a 72-26 (.735) record and three straight postseason invitations, including NCAA Tournament bids the last two years.

Under the tutelage of third-year BYU coach Dave Rose, Cummard and the Cougars have earned recognition in the top-25 rankings during each of the past two seasons while becoming the first MWC team to achieve back-to-back outright MWC championships.

The Cougars defeated No. 6 Louisville and earned a 27-8 record in 2007-08, the second-most wins in school history.

"Lee had a terrific junior season for us, and he has decided to take advantage of the opportunity to explore the draft," Rose said.

"He is an excellent all-around player who helped us win another Mountain West Conference Championship and was named our league's Co-Player of the Year."

By making himself eligible for the draft, Cummard can be invited to pre-draft camps designed to evaluate potential draft choices and participate in workouts with NBA teams. Student-athletes who have not signed with an agent can return to college by withdrawing from the draft by June 16.