LSU freshman guard Tremont Waters will test the NBA waters, as his name appeared on the NBA’s early entrant list released Tuesday.
Waters, a Freshman All-SEC performer who led LSU in scoring and assists with 15.9 points and 6.0 assists per game, has not hired an agent. He can retain his eligibility and return to LSU if he withdraws by May 30.
In his first year in Baton Rouge, Waters set the LSU record for assists by a freshman, surpassing Ben Simmons’ mark. His numbers tailed off in SEC play, when he shot just 36 percent from the floor and 29 percent from 3, down from season-long marks of 42 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from 3.
The early entrant rules allow players to work out for teams and assess their draft stock. As long as they don’t accept impermissible benefits or hire an agent, they can return to school without jeopardizing their eligibility.
That’s likely where Waters will end up. League sources told Tiger Rag Waters is an intriguing prospect and could have an NBA future, but he’ll need further development.
“He’s got to prove he can score efficiently at the college level before he gets serious NBA looks,” one front office employee said. “But people in the league know who he is.”
Waters joins Brandon Sampson on the list, after the junior declared and hired an agent last week. Unlike Sampson, however, Waters has remained enrolled in classes at LSU and has been working out in the LSU practice facility. All indications are he is looking for feedback from the next level and will almost certainly return to Baton Rouge in 2018-19.
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