Purdue’s Vince Edwards latest to test NBA Draft process

Vince Edwards is the latest Purdue Boilermaker to test the NBA Draft process under the league's new rules.

Purdue announced Tuesday morning that Edwards intends to declare for the draft but that he will not hire an agent, the same decision made by teammate Caleb Swanigan.

Under the NBA's new rules, underclassmen are allowed to declare for the draft but not hire an agent, maintaining their NCAA eligibility while still attending pro team workouts and the NBA Draft Combine if invited. The final deadline to decide whether to pursue an NBA career or to head back to the college ranks is May 25.

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The new rules make a lot of sense — as does taking advantage of them — giving players a better gauge of how likely an NBA future is or how ready they are for the jump to the pros, while keeping the safety net of college basketball in place.

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Edwards averaged 11.3 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game this season. He served as the Boilers' primary scorer outside of the low post and ranked second on the team in scoring behind seven-foot All-Big Ten First Team selection A.J. Hammons. Edwards turned it on at the end of the season, averaging 15.5 points over the team's final eight games, including scoring performances of 19 in the Big Ten Tournament title game loss to Michigan State and 24 in the NCAA tournament loss to Little Rock.

While the new rules allow for the possibility of Edwards and Swanigan returning to West Lafayette next season, Edwards' decision throws even more up in the air this offseason for Purdue. The departures of Hammons, Rapheal Davis and Johnny Hill are certain given their senior status, and in addition to the potential departures of Swanigan and Edwards via the draft, Kendall Stephens is exploring the possibility of a transfer.