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Blakeney Announces Decision To Enter NBA Draft

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Blakeney Announces Decision To Enter NBA Draft

BATON ROUGE – LSU guard Antonio Blakeney announced that he would enter his name in the 2017 NBA Draft after two years with the Tigers.

Blakeney announced his decision in a statement he gave to the LSU Sports Communications Office late on Tuesday.

“First and foremost, I want to thank LSU for affording me the opportunity to represent the school and the men’s basketball program over the past two years. It was a privilege to wear the Purple and Gold uniform alongside my teammates. It was an honor to battle with you each and every night,” he said.

“I want to thank my coaches and LSU staff members for providing me with the opportunity to learn on and off the court. I appreciate the fans who took me in as family from the day I committed, which makes this bittersweet. After weeks of discussion, thoughts and prayers, I have decided to take the next step in my basketball career. With that being said, I would like to announce that I’m entering the 2017 NBA Draft.”

In his sophomore season, Blakeney, from Sarasota, Florida, earned second team All-SEC honors and was named first team All-Louisiana. He averaged 17.2 points per game (fifth best in the Southeastern Conference), 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He averaged 32.9 minutes per game, the fifth highest average in the league. He improved his scoring average by 4.6 points from his freshman to sophomore season.

Over his two years he started 54-of-64 games and played almost the exact total minutes (1,016 in 2015-16, 1,019 in 2016-17).

Blakeney posted 25 games in double figures in 2017, 45 over two seasons. He had 14 games this past year of 20 points or more, 22 over two years. During SEC play, he became the first LSU player since Marcus Thornton in 2008 to post six consecutive games of 20 points or more (Feb. 7-23).

In those six games, Blakeney had 31 at Kentucky, 21 versus Arkansas, 29 at Ole Miss, 28 at Alabama, 29 versus Auburn and 20 at Georgia. The 31 in Rupp Arena was his third college career game of 30 or more points after two during his freshman year.

Blakeney made 194-of-424 field goals (45.8%) and that was the eighth-best percentage in the league. He had 53 treys this past season (105 for the two seasons). He had 14 games shooting 50 percent or better from the field. He had five games, including three in the SEC, with 10 or more field goals made.

In his freshman campaign Blakeney averaged 12.6 points and 3.4 rebounds a game. He scored in double figures in 14 of the final 18 games and finishing the season making 31-of-32 at the free throw line, including a streak of 28 straight makes.

The Prep All-American was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Florida after averaging 29 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the nationally-ranked Oak Ridge Pioneers in his senior campaign (2014-15). He was ranked the No. 3 shooting guard in ESPN’s national rankings, No. 13 overall by Rivals.com and No. 19 by 24/7sports.com. He was a McDonald’s and Jordan Brands Classic All-America.

Top Career Performances
Points: 32, vs. Florida (2/27/16)
Rebounds: 12, vs. Arkansas (2/11/17)
Field Goals Made: 12, at Kentucky (2/7/17)
3 PT FG Game: 5, at Ole Miss (2/14/17)
Free Throws Made: 12, vs. Florida, 2/27/16
Assists: 6, vs. Southern Miss (11/15/16)
Blocks: 1, seven times
Steals: 3, vs. Auburn (2/21/17)
Minutes Played: 40, three times

Top Career Scoring Games
1. 32 vs. Florida (2/27/16)
2. 31 at Kentucky (2/7/17)
2. 31, vs. Mississippi State (2/6/16)
4. 29, vs. Auburn (2/21/17)
4. 29, at Ole Miss (2/14/17)
6. 28, at Alabama (2/18/17)
7. 27, vs. NC Central (12/13/16)
8. 26, vs. Southern Miss (11/15/16)
9. 24, at Mizzou (1/4/17)
9. 24, vs. Vandy (12/29/16)