He tested the waters, and decided to return to the Blackbirds’ nest.
Long Island University freshman point guard Jashaun Agosto officially announced his decision to withdraw from the National Basketball Association draft on May 24, posting a statement on Twitter
“I have decided to pull my name out of the NBA Draft 2017,” Agosto tweeted. “I’m very confident in coach [Derek] Kellogg and I love my teammates and the fans at LIU Brooklyn. I want to thank the NBA scouts, agents & coaches for giving me the opportunity to experience the process.”
Agosto was one of 182 players who filed in April as early-entry candidates for the 2017 draft. That decision gave him several different options regarding the future of his game; allowing him to work out in front of professional teams and scouts without requiring him to hire an agent. It also left Agosto free to return to the Blackbirds if he felt his draft prospects weren’t exactly where he wanted them to be. To maintain his college eligibility, he was required to withdraw from the draft by May 24.
“The feedback has been helpful as I realize the exciting reality, which I’m ready to embrace, that it won’t be easy or handed to me,” Agosto tweeted. “My mission is to help my team win and be a role model like all the great point guards before me.”
Agosto, a 5-foot-11 guard from Seattle, Washington, had a dominant rookie year with the Blackbirds last winter, appearing in 31 games, averaging 33 minutes, 11.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds a game. He was one of the most efficient shooters on the Blackbirds’ roster, connecting on 41.4 percent of his field goal attempts.
The offseason hasn’t been easy for LIU-Brooklyn; the squad fell to Robert Morris in the first round of the Northeast Conference tournament, and shortly afterward fired coach Jack Perri.
It took several weeks for the school to hire new coach Derek Kellogg, and Agosto’s decision to return to Brooklyn — and continue to direct the Blackbirds’ offense — is as big an offseason win as Kellogg could have hoped for.
“Can’t wait to coach you and go on this run together!!!” Kellogg tweeted in response to Agosto’s decision.
Agosto was named to the conference All-Rookie team last season, but the former two-time state champion is far from satisfied. He’s got his sights set on a pro career and while he might be tempering his expectations for now, he’s hardly slowing down. In fact, just a day after announcing his decision to return to school, Agosto posted a new workout video on Twitter, showcasing his skills, and his determination to be even better on the court this winter.
“I thank God for continuing to Bless me,” Agosto tweeted, “and I will see y’all at March Madness 2018.”
