It's now official: Jordan Williams has declared for the 2011 NBA Draft. Maryland just issued a press release confirming that Williams has filed the paperwork necessary to put his name in, but has not hired an agent, meaning he could withdraw prior to the May 8 deadline.
Williams averaged 16.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game last season as a sophomore, and with 2011 being widely considered a weak draft class, many projections have him as a first-round pick. But the fact that he has yet to hire an agent should comfort Terps fans, because this allows him to go through the process, learn his strengths and weaknesses, then pull out if he is not satisfied with his draft position. Greivis Vasquez did the same thing after his junior season, and returned for his final year, only to win ACC Player of the Year and lead the Terps to the top of the conference.
If Williams returns, he will join a team likely to be in the Top 25, with returnees Terrell Stoglin, Pe'Shon Howard, Sean Mosley and Hakur Palsson, as well as a strong recruiting class led by Baltimore star Nick Faust.