Maryland guard Aaron Wiggins announced he will enter the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. Wiggins made the announced through his social media.
“My past three years at Maryland has provided some of the most memorable years of my life,” Wiggins wrote in his announcement. “I appreciated my family, coaches, teammates,friends and followers for all of their support and encouragement over the past three years at the University of Maryland. Time brings about change, God opens doors and I have grown in faith to move forward, transition, and trust the process.”
As a junior, Wiggins averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists this past season. He also shot a career-high 44.6% from the field. In three seasons at Maryland, Wiggins showed vast improvement from year-to-year. That includes him shooting 35.6% from three. up from 31.7% as a sophomore last season.
Wiggins will test the waters of the draft process. He’ll have until July 7 to make a decision to stay in the draft or return to Maryland. At 6-foot-6, Wiggins has ideal NBA size to play on the wing. He also possesses great athleticism and with improved shooting could be primed for a pro career.
Wiggins becomes the second Maryland player to declare for the NBA Draft this month. Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Darryl Morsell declared while entering the transfer portal to weigh his options.
The potential losses of Wiggins and Morsell halts the momentum the Terrapins gained previously this month. Head coach Mark Turgeon signed a contract extension through 2026. The team also landed top transfers center Qudus Wahab of Georgetown and point guard Fatts Russell from Rhode Island.
Maryland was ranked in the top-10 of way-too-early rankings. But those projections were based on Wiggins returning. Instead, Turgeon will again have to turn to the transfer portal for a Wiggins replacement.
Fellow junior guard Eric Ayala, who was Maryland’s leading scorer, also faces the call of declaring for the draft or returning for his senior season with the Terrapins.
