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Posted: 12:56 PM- As first reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, Brigham Young's Trent Plaisted confirmed today that he has signed with an agent and will enter the 2008 NBA Draft.
"I have decided to hire Mark Bartelstein with Priority Sports as my agent and begin a professional career at this time," said Plaisted, a 6-foot-11, 245-pound post player who has been at BYU, counting a redshirt season, for four years. "Obviously, getting my degree is very important to me, and I've made plans to complete the few remaining requirements. I really enjoyed playing at BYU and appreciate all that Coach Rose and the coaching staff have done for me. I know they will continue to be very successful."
Plaisted initially declared for this year's NBA Draft on April 10 without hiring an agent.
"Trent has decided he wants to begin his professional career, and he feels signing with an agent gives him the best opportunity to do that," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "We wish Trent the very best as he pursues his professional career and appreciate what he has done for our program. He has been a big part of our success over the past three seasons. His departure creates opportunities for other players, and we expect them to respond very well."
Plaisted, a junior, averaged 15.6 points and a team-leading 7.7 rebounds, including 20.6 points and 12.3 rebounds against top-10 competition. He scored 21 points with 12 rebounds in a win over No. 6 Louisville, helped BYU battle No. 1 North Carolina down to the wire with 24 points and 17 rebounds, and totaled 17 points and eight boards in another close setback against No. 9 Michigan State.
Plaisted was a three-time All-Mountain West Conference player who earned first-team honors this past season.