It’s Official: Zeke is leaving UA

It’s official! Arizona freshman Zeke Nnaji is going to make himself available for the NBA draft.

He made the announcement official via Twitter:

“After much prayer and deliberation with my family, I have decided to make myself available for the 2020 NBA Draft. I can’t wait to see what the next level in my life’s journey will bring, but one thing I know for sure is HIS Mercy and Strength will be with me always because they are new each day.”

Bear Down‼️ pic.twitter.com/LgNRE0huXK

— Zeke Nnaji (@ZekeNnaji_Hoopz) March 31, 2020

That’s how he ended his Tweet to eventually announce his departure from Arizona. It had long been his goal to be a one-and-done player in college.

Here’s his Tweet:

“First, I want to thank The Most High for His Blessings to be throughout the season. To me a leader is one who depicts humility, clarity, vision, and courage; Coach Sean Miller is a leader and I thank him and his staff for taking a chance on a little known kid from Minnesota.

“To my teammates: You guys pushed me both in the weight room and on the court. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to go to battle with. Adversity they say builds character. All the nuggets I picked up from battling y’all will stay with me forever.

“Tucson: You guys welcomed me with open arms. There is NO BETTER FAN BASE and electric atmosphere. Your knowledge of the game is unmatched. I will miss McKale Center always.

“To me family: Thanks for your support and trust throughout my life. Since my formative years playing on my driveway, I have always had the dream of playing in the NBA.

It was reported over the weekend, Nnaji, a 6-foot-11 forward from Hopkins, Minn., would declare for the NBA. He averaged a team-leading 16.1 points a game and 8.6 rebounds after starting all 32 games. He was the Pac-12’s Freshman of the Year and a First Team all-Pac-12 player.

He did, however, cool to 57 percent from the floor after a scorching hot start of hitting better than 70 percent from the floor.

Now comes the wait for the official word freshmen teammates Nico Mannion and Josh Green will declare for the NBA. Miller said in the winter Mannion was headed to the NBA.