Banton declares for NBA Draft

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A Husker starter has declared his intentions to enter the NBA draft, with the possibility of a return to Lincoln.

Nebraska point guard Dalano Banton announced on Twitter Monday that he would be declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft.

Sunday was the deadline day for declaring entry into the draft. Players have until July 7 to withdraw from the draft.

Players can also elect to return to school if they go undrafted, but that rule only applies to players who participate in the NBA Draft Combine, which takes place June 21-27.

Banton played in all 27 of the Huskers' games this past season, starting 22. The 6-9 sophomore averaged 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He notched the second triple double in Nebraska history, doing so in a non-conference game against Doane.

Creighton guard Mitch Ballock, a senior, also has the opportunity to return to Omaha for an additional season due to expanded eligibility options related to COVID-19. Even though he is a senior, because of the new eligibility options, he was required to declare for the draft as well, though he also has the same ability to return to school as Banton.

Nebraska has seen the potential departures of Banton, Teddy Allen, Shamiel Stevenson and Thorir Thorbjarnarson this offseason. Stevenson also declared for the draft, while Allen announced his departure in March with no intended destination at the time. Thorbjarnarson, like Creighton's Ballock, had the option to return to school but elected to start his professional career in Iceland.