Aminu Leaving Wake Forest For NBA

Carolina Kat Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:54 pm

Aminu leaving Wake Forest for NBA

(Raleigh) News & Observer

Posted: Thursday, Apr. 01, 2010

In a surprise to no one, sophomore Al-Farouq Aminu is leaving Wake Forest for the NBA.

The 6-9 forward led the Demon Deacons with 15.8 points per game and an ACC-best 10.7 rebounds per game and is considered a high first-round pick.

"This was a difficult decision," Aminu said in a statement released by the school. "But after talking it over with my family and my coaches, I believe now is the right time for me to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA."

Both NBA Draft Express and NBADraft.net project Aminu as a lottery pick.

Aminu's exit, and the loss of senior point guard Ish Smith, leaves the Deacs, who went 9-7 in the ACC and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament, in rebuilding mode for the 2010-11 season.

The Deacs have a big freshmen class of five coming in for coach Dino Gaudio's fourth season. Scout.com ranks it as the 10th-best class in the country. The Deacs will need forwards Carson Desrosiers and Melvin Tabb, from Raleigh, to help offset the losses of Aminu and senior forward Chas McFarland.