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Report: Syracuse freshman Tyler Ennis to enter the NBA Draft

Tyler Ennis

Tyler Ennis will forgo his final three years of eligibility and enter the NBA Draft, according to a report from Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com.

Ennis had a terrific freshman campaign, averaging 12.9 points, 5.5 assists and just 1.7 turnovers, but the years ended in disappointment as the Orange were upset early in both the ACC and NCAA tournaments.

“I’d like to thank Coach Boeheim, the coaching staff, my teammates and the amazing fans of Syracuse for the opportunity to play at a great university like Syracuse,” said Ennis. “I feel this experience has helped prepare me to fulfill my lifelong dream – to play in the NBA.”

Ennis is not a next-level athlete like a Derrick Rose or a John Wall, but he’s as heady as point guards come, the kind of player that doesn’t get sped up by defensive pressure. He’s got a terrific feel for the game and is able to get his team into their offense without turning the ball over, and he’s shown an exceptional ability to execute in the clutch. Draft Express currently projects him as the 14th pick in the draft and the third point guard taken after Dante Exum and Marcus Smart.
MORE: The entire list of players entering the 2014 NBA Draft

This will be the second straight season where the Orange have sent a point guard off to the NBA quicker than expected. Ennis was forced into a starting role this season because Michael Carter-Williams left after his sophomore year. The good news is that Boeheim landed a commitment from Kaleb Joseph, a point guard from New England that was the No. 55 recruit in the country in the Class of 2014. Like Ennis, he will be thrust into a starting role early in his tenure.

All eyes in Upstate New York now turn to Jerami Grant, who is still deciding whether or not he will enter the draft. If he leaves, that means the Orange will lose their top three players from this season, as C.J. Fair is graduating as well.