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Florida’s Bradley Beal to enter the NBA Draft

Florida Gators guard Bradley Beal celebrates his team's win over the Marquette Golden Eagles during the NCAA men's West Regional basketball tournament in Phoenix

Florida Gators guard Bradley Beal celebrates his team’s win over the Marquette Golden Eagles during the NCAA men’s West Regional basketball tournament in Phoenix, Arizona March 22, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

REUTERS

According to a report from Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com, Florida freshman wing Bradley Beal will announce his intention to enter the 2012 NBA Draft on Friday.

Beal averaged 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for the Gators, earning SEC All-Freshman and First Team All-SEC honors as a result.

According to DraftExpress.com the St. Louis native ranks fifth among NBA Draft prospects, projecting Beal to be a lottery selection in this year’s draft.

In terms of the Gators’ roster makeup for next season, Beal’s departure puts them back at 12 scholarships with 2012 forward Anthony Bennett still on the board.

Florida received a commitment from DeVon Walker on Thursday, which put them at their full allotment of 13 scholarships at the time.

One has to wonder if Billy Donovan and his staff had an idea of what Beal was going to do when making that offer, and by the look of things they did.

According to Chris Harry of Gatorzone.com, Beal informed Donovan of his decision while holding back tears on Monday afternoon in the head coach’s office.

“I got very emotional when I was telling him. I love this place. I love this program. I really bought into the whole experience,” said Beal.

“I may not have had the best [season] I could have had, but in terms of just fun and enjoying the game it could not have been any better.”

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.