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Weeks after announcing that he was going to test the NBA Draft waters, Amir Coffey has officially made his decision to go pro, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.
Just confirmed the news that #Gophers All-Big Ten junior guard Amir Coffey is turning pro and staying in the NBA Draft, per his agent. Coffey was still weighing both options yesterday.
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) May 29, 2019
Despite not being projected to be drafted or even invited to the NBA Draft Combine, Coffey is going to continue moving forward with his decision that he is going to play professionally next season.
Why not come back if you aren’t going to be drafted? Well, Coffey may not be playing in the league or even in the developmental league but he will be getting paid to play basketball. As one of the older juniors and after having a very strong finish to his junior season, his stock is as high as it has been and regardless of what he does next year it may not get any higher. Returning for as a senior on the Gopher roster would be outstanding for the program, but it is a risk on his part to play his final season out.
As Gopher fans this is a pretty significant blow to the 2019-20 season’s expectations. Coffey could have returned to be a potential 1st team All-Big Ten player and lead the Gophers to a very successful season. But he is doing what he feels is best for his career and I wish him nothing but the best.