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Vanderbilt’s Darius Garland withdraws from school to focus on NBA draft

2018 McDonald's All American Game - Jam Fest

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 26: Darius Garland of Brentwood Academy attempts a dunk during the 2018 McDonald’s All American Game POWERADE Jam Fest at Forbes Arena on March 26, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Vanderbilt freshman guard Darius Garland will withdraw from school in order to focus on the 2019 NBA Draft.

Out for the season since the fifth game of the year, the former five-star prospect had surgery on Nov. 26 to repair the meniscus in his left knee. According to a report from Evan Daniels of 247Sports, Garland is now done with his college career.

Garland will withdraw so that he can turn pro and handle rehabbing and draft prep on his own. In a weak 2019 NBA Draft for point guards, Garland has a chance to become a lottery pick if he shows that he’s healthy before June. Putting up 16.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in limited action this season, Garland shot 53 percent from the floor and 47 percent from three-point range.

With his ability to knock down perimeter shots while also running an offense, the 6-foot-2 Garland could be an attractive prospect for teams looking to upgrade at lead guard.

Although Vanderbilt losing Garland was expected since he was potentially a first-round pick, it still stings to only have such a talented, potentially game-changing prospect, for a little over four games before his college career comes to a close.