Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Huell opting to return to school after testing NBA draft waters
CORAL GABLES — A little less than two months ago, Hurricanes forward Dewan Huell opted to declare for the NBA draft and see if he was ready to become a professional basketball player.
Huell decided in April not to hire an agent, which would allow him to return to Miami if he so chose. On Saturday, he made his decision.
Huell, a former McDonald’s All-American, posted on Twitter that he would remain a Hurricane, writing “Everyone has their own route. … Trust the process” and posting an image of himself in his Hurricanes uniform.
“After getting feedback from NBA teams and talking it over with my family and coaches, I would like to announce that I will be returning to Miami for my junior season,” Huell’s online statement continued. “I’m really excited to get back to work with my brothers so we can accomplish more than ever during the 2018-19 season. Go Canes.”
Huell, who had his share of struggles as a freshman, was one of Miami’s leading scorers this past season, averaging 11.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He was tied with Anthony Lawrence for a team-high with 31 blocks.
While Huell had a predraft Dewan Huell, workout with the Atlanta Hawks, he was not among the players invited to the NBA Draft Combine and was not projected to be a first-round pick. Former Hurricanes teammates Bruce Brown and Lonnie Walker IV were both in Chicago earlier this month working out for NBA scouts and personnel.
Brown and Walker, Miami’s other two leading scorers, have hired agents and will not be returning to the Hurricanes.
But with Huell back, Miami will have as solid core of veterans to work with next season, including fellow big men Ebuka Izundu, Rodney Miller, Sam Waardenburg and Deng Gak.
Also returning for the Hurricanes are Lawrence, Chris Lykes, and DJ Vasiljevic. Mount St. Mary’s transfer Miles Wilson will be eligible after sitting out last season to satisfy NCAA transfer requirements and this offseason, the Hurricanes added a trio of players in Florida Gulf Coast transfer Zach Johnson, who is set to graduate this summer and will be eligible immediately, former Wyoming guard Anthony Mack and former Oklahoma guard Kameron McGusty.
The Hurricanes are hopeful Mack, who redshirted last season while reportedly dealing with concussion symptoms, will be granted a waiver that will allow him to play immediately.