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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EWU star Tyler Harvey to pursue NBA career

National scoring leader led Eagles to NCAA Tournament

Eastern Washington junior guard Tyler Harvey plans to make himself available for the NBA draft, he announced Wednesday morning. “I’m all in right now work hard and to hopefully get a shot at the NBA,” said Harvey, who was flanked by EWU coach Jim Hayford and athletic director Bill Chaves at a press conference on the EWU campus. Harvey said he has not yet hired an agent and hasn’t ruled out returning to EWU for his senior season, but said that as of now, “I’m all-in” on the pursuit of a professional career. The NCAA gives underclassmen only until April 12 to submit paperwork to technically withdraw his name from the NBA Draft. Harvey has until April 26 to notify the NBA of his intention of being an early-entry candidate. The draft is on June 25 in New York. “I don’t know – that’s always the fear of the unknown,” Harvey said when asked about his journey between now and June 25. “Hopefully everything works out for the best and I’m going to work my tail off to better my chances.” Harvey, a redshirt junior from Torrance, California, averaged 23.1 points a game and led the nation in made 3-point shots while leading the Eagles to a 26-9 record, the Big Sky Conference co-regular-season title and the school’s first NCAA appearance in 11 years. Considered one of the best long-range shooters in the college ranks, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound Harvey is projected to be drafted in the second round of the NBA draft, which is scheduled for June 25 in New York. Draft expert Chad Ford of ESPN describes Harvey has “one of the best shooter-scorers you’ll find, an absolutely lights-out marksman.” DraftExpress.com predicts Harvey will be the 46th pick (out of 60 in the two-round draft), but NBADraft.net predicts that he won’t be drafted. Harvey would be only the second Eastern player to play in the NBA. Former EWU star Rodney Stuckey averaged 24.6 points as a redshirt sophomore at Eastern in 2006-7.