MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Despite refuting a report earlier Monday that he was leaving West Virginia, men’s basketball forward Derek Culver posted later he was indeed entering the 2021 NBA Draft and will forgo his final two seasons of eligibility.
Culver clarified his earlier statement with a post on his Instagram page.
“In the heat of the moment, I responded on social media to refute those claims,” Culver said. “I have taken stock of my college experience and am now undergoing the difficult decision to plan my future.
“I have elected to forgo my senior year and currently explore my professional options, which was a difficult decision that I did not take lightly.”
A report from 247Sports earlier Monday stated Culver had signed with agent Cervando Tejeda from New York-based Athletes Sports Management.
The agency also tweeted on Monday that Culver had signed with it and Tejeda stated in the 247Sports report that Culver was not going back to college.
Culver first called the 247Sports story “false news” on social media, but later deleted the post.
“I refuted these claims, as I felt it unfair for those who have supported me over the years to hear it from other sources before hearing it from me directly,” Culver said. “Now I would like to state on my terms that I am officially declaring for the NBA Draft and have signed with Athletes Sports Management.”
According to WVU head coach Bob Huggins, Culver’s decision was different from what the forward had been telling him since the end of the season.
“Derek has never told me anything other than, ‘Coach, I’m coming back,’ ” Huggins told The Dominion Post earlier Monday. “He’s told me that repeatedly.”
Culver was named first-team all-Big 12 this season after averaging 14.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. He led the Big 12 with 11 double-doubles.
He finishes his WVU career with 1,036 points and 799 rebounds.
WVU also has guards Sean McNeil, Deuce McBride and Taz Sherman with their names in the draft, too, but those three players have kept their options open in returning to school.
All underclassmen have until July 19 this year to make their final decision. The NBA Draft is scheduled for July 29.
Tejada is not a certified agent with the NBA, although he does represent NBA players such as Abdel Nader of the Phoenix Suns.
By signing with an uncertified agent, Culver was forced to forfeit his remaining college eligibility, according to NCAA rules.
“I want to take this time to thank my family, teammates and coaches for all the years of support,” Culver said. “I am looking forward to this next chapter.”
According to mock drafts, Culver is not expected to be selected in the upcoming two-round draft.
WVU has signed two other power forwards this spring through the NCAA’s transfer portal: Dimon Carrigan from Florida International and Pauly Paulicap from DePaul. Both are rim-protecters, an aspect of the game the Mountaineers did not have last season.
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