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Houston Guard Jamal Shead Announces Intent to Enter NBA Draft
One of college basketball's best defensive talents is headed to the next level.
Houston guard Jamal Shead is entering the NBA draft, he announced on his Instagram page Thursday morning.
Shead, 21, discussed his decision with Chancellor Johnson of KPRC-TV in Houston.
"I feel like it's my time to move on," Shead said. "These have been four of the best years of my life with some of the best people I've met in my life... I feel like right now it's just that time."
Shead was named a consensus All-American following the 2024 season, during which the Cougars went 32-5. In his four-year career, Houston never lost in the NCAA tournament prior to the Sweet 16.
Breaking: Houston Cougar guard, Jamal Shead declares for the 2024 NBA draft.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) April 11, 2024
The Big 12 Player of the Year details his decision and reflects on his time at Houston with @KPRC2 https://t.co/7RAa5wnVW8 pic.twitter.com/vS6UhPfNK4
In his final career game, Shead exited after spraining his ankle. The Cougars lost that game 54-51 to Duke on March 29.
A superb defender, Shead was named the AAC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year in '24.
Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .