Olivier Nkamhoua reportedly withdraws from NBA Draft
Tennessee senior forward Olivier Nkamhoua is withdrawing is name from the NBA Draft, according to ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony. College basketball players have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday to take their name out of the draft and retain their collegiate eligibility.
Nkamhoua entered his name in the NCAA Transfer Portal on March 30 and, according to Givony, has drawn interest from Michigan, Baylor, West Virginia, Michigan and Kansas State.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said during a Big Orange Caravan stop in April that Nkamhoua’s ultimate goal was to play professional basketball next season.
“Olivier has told us day one that his No. 1 objective is to be a pro basketball player,” Barnes told reporters at during Big Orange Caravan stop in Knoxville. “He has told us that is his pursuit.”
Nkamhoua averaged 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game for the Vols this season, shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from the 3-point line, where he went 18-for-54.
He took part in the NBA’s G League Elite camp in Chicago earlier this month, measuring in at 6’8 1/4” barefoot with a 7’0 1/4” wingspan and an 8’10 1/2” standing reach. His hands were 10 1/2 inches wide and he weighed in at 229 pounds at 5.7 percent body fat.
Nkamhoua in scrimmage work at the G League camp scored 12 points on 3-for-6 shooting from the floor and 4-for-6 from the free-throw line in his first game, adding two rebounds, two assists and a pair of turnovers. In his second game, he had five points on 2-for-5 shooting, including 1-for-2 from the 3-point line. He had two rebounds, two steals, a turnover and three fouls.
Olivier Nkamhoua had 27 points in wins over both Duke and Texas
Nkamhoua had a season-high 27 points in the win over Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament but was limited to just six in the Sweet 16 loss to Florida Atlantic. He had another 27 against Texas on January 28 at Thompson-Boling Arena, but was held to eight points or fewer in 14 games and had four or fewer rebounds in 17 games.
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Barnes said on during the Big Orange Caravan stop that Nkamhoua entered the portal at the advice of his father. To date, he’s the only actively Tennessee player currently in the NCAA Transfer Portal.
“He told us that his dad wanted him to put his name in the portal, which is a decision they have to make,” Barnes said. “From day one, our conversation with him has been that his ultimate goal was to try and put himself in a position to be a professional athlete next year.”
Tennessee signed three players out of the NCAA Transfer Portal
Tennessee’s offseason roster overhaul included three signings out of the portal: USC Upstate guard Jordan Gainey, Harvard forward Caleb Ledlum and Northern Colorado wing Dalton Knecht. Senior guard Santiago Vescovi also announced in April that he would be returning for a fifth year at Tennessee.
Josiah-Jordan James announced Wednesday afternoon that he’ll also be returning to Tennessee for a fifth season.
“I’m excited and blessed to be able to represent Tennessee for one more year,” James said. “After last season, I talked with the coaching staff about how important it was for me to go through the draft evaluation process and get NBA feedback, since I wasn’t able to do that last offseason.
“I also knew that the coaches here had to build a full roster for this year and prepare for the possibility that I might not be back. I love the pieces they’ve put together, and I’m eager to join this new group of teammates for one more run.”
