NMSU’s Pascal Siakam declares for draft but won’t hire agent

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Most Aggies fans knew this day was coming. Now it’s here.

Pascal Siakam, the 2016 WAC Player of the Year, officially declared for the NBA Draft Tuesday.

Siakam, a sophomore last season, was tied for the most double-doubles in the country with 27. He posted 20.3 points per game to go along with 11.6 rebounds per contest this past season. He failed to post double digit points and rebounds only seven times in 34 contests.

“After talking to my family and my coaches, we thought that [declaring] was the best thing to do,” said Siakam. “I pretty much knew at the end of the year that I was going to declare for the draft.”

However, Siakam says he won’t hire an agent just yet, meaning there is still a chance he comes back to New Mexico State – if he doesn’t like the way things go before the NBA draft.

Siakam insisted today that the departure of former head coach Marvin Menzies to UNLV had nothing to do with his decision to declare for the draft. But he’s also keeping a close eye on the school’s search for a new head coach.

“The coaching change has nothing to do with my decision” said Siakam. “But I think it’s going to, at some point, maybe have some part in me deciding to come back or not…And we’re just waiting, hoping that the administration makes the right decision for the university, for the community, and for the players.”

When asked if he would consider returning to NMSU if he is told he will be a second-round pick, the sophomore responded, “I don’t know.”

Siakam’s decision comes one day after Ian Baker announced he, too, will test the NBA waters.

Both players made the WAC First Team as well as the conference’s All-Defensive squad this past season.

They led the Aggies to a WAC regular season title, but fell short against CSU Bakersfield in the title game of the WAC Tournament. The Aggies then lost in the first round of the NIT in a close game at Saint Mary’s.