Miami’s Isaiah Wong says he’s leaving school for NBA draft

CORALGABLES, Fla. (AP) — Isaiah Wong is going to try to make the jumpfrom the Final Four to the NBA.

TheAtlantic Coast Conference’s player of the year this seasonannounced Monday that he intends to forgo his remaining eligibilityand leave Miami for the NBA draft. Wong led Miami by averaging 16.3points per game this season, leading the Hurricanes to a 29-8record and a spot in the national semifinals.

“I stayedtrue to who I am while giving everything I’ve got for this team andfor a city that has become a second home and an extension of myfamily,” said Wong, a 6-foot-4 guard from New Jersey. “I would doit all over again. With that said, I’m turning the page to the nextchapter of my career to pursue my dreams of playing in theNBA.”

Wong hastested NBA waters before but opted to return to the Hurricanesafter exploring his draft prospects. This time, he’s moving on —meaning he will be at least the second Miami starter from the FinalFour team not to be back next season. Jordan Miller, whose collegeeligibility is exhausted, is the other.

Miller wassecond to Wong in scoring per game for the Hurricanes this seasonat 15.3 per contest.

“CoachingIsaiah Wong has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of mycareer. My staff and I are so happy for Isaiah for all he hasaccomplished,” Miami coach Jim Larrañaga said. “We are excited forhim as he continues to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA andlook forward to supporting him in any way we can to make that areality.”

Wongfinishes his Miami career with 1,866 points, fourth-best in schoolhistory. He’s a three-time All-ACC player and helped Miami to boththe Elite Eight last season and the school’s first Final Four tripthis season.

TheHurricanes lost in the national semifinals to eventual championConnecticut.

“Hispassion for winning set the tone for our locker room chemistry andhe helped Miami basketball reach heights it never has before,”Larrañaga said. “Isaiah is unquestionably one of the greatestathletes in the history of our school and we cannot wait to seewhat he accomplishes as a professional.”