[ NBA DRAFT ]
Chaminade’s Acker
declares for draft
The NBA released its list of the 94 early entrants in the league's upcoming draft yesterday, and Chaminade guard Chris Acker's name appeared on the top line, much to the surprise of Silverswords coach Aaron Griess.
"It's a poor decision for him to leave school," Griess said. "We wanted Chris to come back for his senior year and finish his degree and help us on the court next year. He just didn't feel like he fit into the program, but it's not realistic to think he'll play in the NBA."
Acker is among 43 college underclassmen who submitted their letters by May 10. The players have the right to withdraw their names from the list by notifying the NBA by June 17, one week before the draft is held in Madison Square Garden.
Any college players who have not signed with an agent can return to their school and not lose their eligibility.
Acker, a 6-foot-1 guard, saw limited action with the NCAA Division II Silverswords. The junior started three games last season and averaged five points in 13.3 minutes per game.
Acker has closed the door on returning to Chaminade next year and is optimistic about his prospects of playing at the next level.
"I think my chances are pretty good; this isn't a joke," Acker said yesterday. "I really believe I've got a good chance to play professionally. It's not like this is the only thing I've got going on. I've got some offers from overseas and a couple of NBA camps coming up at the end of the month."
Griess said Acker's positive attitude toward academics contributed to his surprise at the decision.
"He's got great character and he's a very good student," Griess said. "It really caught me off guard, first of all that he didn't want to come back, and with him being such a good student I thought getting his degree was a priority."
Acker's brother, Alex, was an All-West Coast Conference honorable-mention selection at Pepperdine last season.
Thirteen high school players were among the 94 who filed.
Forty-three college underclassmen, including all four eligible members of The Associated Press' All-America team, also submitted their letters by May 10.
The All-Americans who filed were Emeka Okafor of Connecticut, Lawrence Roberts of Mississippi State, Ryan Gomes of Providence and Josh Childress of Stanford, The fifth All-American, Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's, was a senior.
Thirty-eight international players were on the list.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.