By CODY WORSHAM
Tiger Rag Editor
The second NBA domino of LSU’s offseason is set to fall on Monday, as Tim Quarterman looks set to declare for the NBA Draft and hire an agent, a story first reported by The Vertical.
The move isn’t surprising, as Quarterman’s desire to go to the NBA after this season has been well-known. According to sources, Quarterman met with LSU head coach Johnny Jones on the Monday after LSU declined to play in the postseason, and made clear there his desire to continue his career at the next level.
“Had a chance to visit with Tim Quarterman, as well. He is certainly someone who will give it some consideration to possibly move (to the NBA), as well,” Jones said the next day.
The junior guard from Savannah, Ga. averaged 11.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 2015-16, but struggled, at times, to mesh with Ben Simmons and establish consistency in the starting lineup. LSU head coach Johnny Jones moved Quarterman to the bench for five of LSU’s 18 SEC games, and the 6-foot-6 point guard saw his numbers drop to 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds, with a slight uptick in assists, at 3.7 per game in league play.
Quarterman will look to join fellow 2013 signees Jarell Martin (Memphis Grizzlies) and Jordan Mickey (Boston Celtics) in the NBA. Martin was a first round pick in 2015, while Mickey signed a record contract for second round selections as the No. 33 overall pick.
The next player to keep an eye on is Antonio Blakeney. The freshman guard is thought to be considering declaring for the draft but not hiring an agent, allowing him to go through the NBA combine and work out once with each team without forfeiting his eligibility. Blakeney, who averaged nearly 20 points per game during a seven game stretch late in the Tigers’ season, would have until May 25 to remove his name from the draft and retain his eligibility for next season.
Sources close to Blakeney believe he will ultimately return for his sophomore season, but no decision is final, yet.
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