Alabama forward Noah Clowney declares for 2023 NBA Draft

Alabama forward Noah Clowney declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, he announced Saturday. Clowney released a statement confirming his decision.

“Thank you, Bama Nation!” Clowney said. “This season has been one of the most memorable years of my life. Ever since I could pick up a basketball, playing in the NBA has been a dream of mine and throughout my life I have had amazing coaches, teammates and staff that have shown me unconditional love and support throughout my basketball career. … With that being said, I have decided to declare for the NBA Draft.”

Clowney enjoyed great success as a freshman with the Crimson Tide. He helped Alabama win the SEC and earn the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Despite the Sweet 16 loss, it was a successful campaign.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Noah Clowney (@noahclowney)

Clowney played 36 games in 2022-23. He finished the season with 9.8 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game and shot 48.6% from the floor.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Clowney was a four-star recruit out of Roebuck (S.C.) Dorman, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 14 power forward prospect and the No. 77 overall prospect in the class.

More on the 2023 NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Round 1 of the draft will be announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, while Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is expected to handle the second round of picks.

To be eligible for the NBA Draft, players must be at least 19 years in age during the calendar year that the draft is held and at least one NBA season from their high school graduation date, or the date that would have been if they are not graduated. It is not required that player spend that one year playing college basketball, though. Players can play in either college, abroad, or the G League Ignite if they choose so.

While this is a significant change from what the rules once were, players are eligible to enter their names into the NBA Draft pool and explore their options by hiring an agent to go through the process, while still keeping their college eligibility. The deadline to make that move is on April 23 beginning at 11:59 p.m. ET. Players have until June 12 at 5 p.m. ET to withdraw their name from the pool and return to college.

The NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 16, which is also the start of the NBA Conference Finals.