J'Covan Brown leaving Texas to declare for the NBA Draft

Immediately after the first round loss to Cincinnati in the NCAA Tournament last week the speculation started.  Now it’s finished, at least unofficially.  Sources are reporting that Texas junior guard and 2012 Big XII scoring leader J’Covan Brown will forego his senior season and make himself eligible for the NBA draft.  The Port Arthur native averaged 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game last year with Texas.  With the loss of seniors Clint Chapman and Alexis Wangmene fans hoped Brown would return to play another year with an improved but still young Texas team.  For the last several years the Longhorns have been hit with a rash of  players leaving early for the NBA, including last year’s trio of Corey Joseph, Tristan Thompson and Jordan Hamilton.  The eyes of Texas are now glaring on freshman Myck Kabongo and his possible exit to the NBA draft.  The Longhorns bring in a handful of prospects next season including commits Javan Felix, Connor Lammert, Prince Ibeh and Ioannis Papapetrou, but the team will still be be young – by all measures.  Barnes and his staff have their work cut out for them if the team intends to make a 15th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance next year.

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