April 7, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina junior point guard Devan Downey has announced today that he will submit his name for the pool for the 2009 NBA Draft. Downey will not hire an agent, leaving open the opportunity to return to the Gamecocks for his senior season.

“I feel at this point in my career it is important for me to test the draft waters to see what the next logical step in my basketball career is,” Downey said. “I told Coach Horn of my decision and he has been very supportive throughout the entire process.”

“We support Devan’s decision to enter his name in the draft and evaluate himself against other potential draftees at workouts,” South Carolina head coach Darrin Horn said. “We will continue to work to gather accurate information in an effort to help Devan make the best decision for himself when the time comes.”

Downey secured another impressive season in the statistical categories in 2008-09. He led Carolina with 19.8 points per game, scoring a total of 614 points – the most by a Gamecock in a single season since Zam Fredrick Sr. posted 781 points during his school record-setting season in 1980-81. Downey’s 614 points rank sixth in the Gamecock record book. Downey continued his strong effort on the defense end as well, swiping 89 steals (2.9 per game). His 192 career steals at Carolina rank fourth in the school record book, while his 3.0 career steals per game average currently ranks atop the Gamecock record book. Downey scored double figures in 30 of South Carolina’s 31 games in 2008-09, including 15 20-point and two 30-point efforts. He collected his 1,000th career point (including one-year total from Cincinnati) and also tallied his 1,000th point in the Garnet and Black during the season.