June 16, 2006

South Carolina’s rising senior Renaldo Balkman signed with an agent Thursday evening; and announced he will forego his senior year of basketball eligibility and remain in the NBA Draft. USC head coach Dave Odom released the following statement on Balkman Friday evening.

“Like Gamecocks’ everywhere, I am disappointed Renaldo Balkman will not be with us next season,” said Odom, who will enter his sixth season at the Carolina helm next season. “However, when we first started talking about the possibility of him declaring for the draft, we knew that he might decide to take an agent and stay in the draft. Playing professional basketball has always been his dream and I respect his right to pursue it. His teammates, coaching staff and the entire University support his decision in every way. He will remain one of the most popular Gamecocks ever and will always be a part of the Gamecock basketball family. I’ll look forward to following his career and we all wish him well. I do hope he at some point will return to South Carolina and finish his degree as he is eligible to play and on track to graduate.”

Balkman signed with agent Andre’ Buck.

Balkman averaged 25.7 mpg, 9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 bpg and 1.7 spg his junior year. He led team in RPG, STL; he was third in PPG and fourth in APG. He was named SEC All-Tournament and the Most Valuable Player of the NIT Championship.