Missouri basketball's Kobe Brown declares for 2023 NBA Draft, maintains college eligibility

Missouri basketball’s Kobe Brown has made a decision. The all-SEC forward announced on social media Sunday that he will be declaring for the NBA Draft, while keeping open the option of returning to college basketball next season.

According to Tiger head coach Dennis Gates, speaking at a Come Home Tour speaking date on April 12, Brown had been waiting on the NBA’s undergraduate advisory committee to tell him where he will likely be picked in the upcoming draft.

“CoMo and the entire state of Missouri have been so good to me over the years,” Brown said in a statement posted on his Twitter account. “You all have opened your arms to me and my family and instantly made this a new home. I can’t say thank you enough. With that being said, it has been a dream of mine to play in the NBA. I will be declaring for the draft while maintaining my last year of eligibility.”

More: What is Kobe Brown's timeline for entering the NBA Draft or returning to Mizzou basketball?

Brown was one of just three players to remain on Missouri’s roster after Gates took over the head coach job from the fired Cuonzo Martin before the 2022-23 season. He was the centerpiece of a squad that achieved surprising success, winning 25 games and making the SEC semifinals before the year ended with a loss to Princeton in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Huntsville, Ala. native averaged 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season. He found a previously unseen shooting touch from three-point range, improving his average to 45.5% from beyond the arc after making just 20.6% in 2021-22.

“It’s crazy to think how much a kid from the ‘ville can move away and gain the love and support of so many,” Brown said. “To all of my coaches, teammates, and staff over the years, it wouldn’t have been as much fun without you all.”

Sunday’s announcement doesn’t necessarily mean Brown will absolutely be gone for next season. It was the deadline for early entry, but he could still opt to return to school after taking part in the NBA and G League's combines.

Brown would have to make that decision by May 31. He was projected as a second-round pick in recent mock drafts.

Brown’s brother, Kaleb, recently announced he has entered the transfer portal. Kaleb Brown joined teammates Ronnie DeGray III and Mohamed Diarra in the portal.

The NBA Draft will be held June 22 in Brooklyn.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri basketball's Kobe Brown declares for 2023 NBA Draft