Villanova’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl declares for NBA draft, signs with an agent

Robinson-Earl started all 56 of the Wildcats' games in his two seasons. He averaged 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds this season and was named co-Big East player of the year.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl pulls down a rebound against Adama Sanogo of UConn.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

by Joe Juliano

Published April 9, 2021, 11:14 a.m. ET

Villanova forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, the co-Big East player of the year this past season, announced Friday he will forgo his remaining years of eligibility, sign with an agent and enter the 2021 NBA draft.

Robinson-Earl started all 56 of the Wildcats’ games the past two seasons, averaging 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds. He led the Cats in scoring this season at 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, helping the team to an 18-7 record and a Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA Tournament.

“After meaningful conversation with coach [Jay] Wright, family and my trusted circle, I have decided to sign with an agent and declare for the 2021 draft,” Robinson-Earl said in a statement on Twitter. “That being said, the last two years at Villanova have allowed me to grow in so many ways, as both a person and as a player.

“I am forever grateful to coach Wright and the entire staff, my teammates/brothers, the faculty and all of Nova Nation. I thank the great Lord above for all things and for allowing Villanova to be part of his plan for me. I will continue to strive for greatness, not perfection, and bring all the tools I have learned at Villanova to guide me in this next chapter of my life. Attitude!”

Robinson-Earl briefly explored his NBA draft options after the 2019-20 season after he averaged 10.5 points and 9.4 rebounds and was named Big East freshman of the year, but decided to return to school.

This season, Robinson-Earl posted seven double-doubles, with high games of 28 points against Boston College and 17 rebounds at St. John’s.