Arkansas forward Jordan Walsh staying in 2023 NBA Draft

Arkansas forward Jordan Walsh is keeping his name in the 2023 NBA Draft, he told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. He declared for the draft April 19, but left the door open to potentially return to the Razorbacks.

Walsh put up solid numbers as a freshman for Arkansas this past season, averaging 7.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 43.3% from the field. He appeared in 36 games, including 22 starts, and his biggest performance came in December when he dropped 18 points in a 75-57 victory over Bradley.

During the NCAA Tournament, Walsh scored 10 points and pulled down three rebounds to help Arkansas upset No. 1 seed Kansas and advance to the Sweet Sixteen. That’s when the Razorbacks’ season came to an end against UConn, which went on to win the national championship.

Walsh arrived in Fayetteville with plenty of hype on the recruiting trail as part of a talented class for Eric Musselman. He was a four-star prospect and the No. 22-ranked player in the nation from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

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.

The NBA Draft Lottery was held on May 16, which was also the start of the NBA Conference Finals. The San Antonio Spurs won the lottery.