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Providence Friars sophomore forward Ben Bentil is declaring for the 2016 NBA Draft.
The news comes to us first from Scout.com's Evan Daniels, who on Wednesday afternoon broke the news that the Big East's Most Improved Player in 2016 would be heading for the NBA, but won't be signing with an agent.
Providence PF Ben Bentil will declare for the NBA Draft, but not sign with an agent, a source told Scout. Leaves option open to return.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) March 23, 2016
This should come as no surprise, especially after the breakout campaign that the Wilmington, Delaware native had this past season. Bentil was one of the best players in the conference and the country, showing off an astounding ability to score and contribute in other facets as well.
The new rules for the NBA Draft allow for players to test the waters before heading back to school. Bentil, though, appears to be heading down a common route that has been executed by players of the past, in which he is declaring without signing an agent. Because of this, as Daniels indicates, it leaves the possibility open that he could return to Friartown for his upcoming junior year, where he'd no doubt be preseason Big East Player of the Year candidate, if not the pick amongst the coaches in the conference.