2023 four-plus star University of Louisville signee Trentyn Flowers has decided to forego his college eligibility, becoming the third NBA prospect from next summer’s draft class to bypass college. Instead of attending Louisville, Flowers tweeted that he would head to Australia and enroll in the NBL’s Next Star program. The Jefferson (Ga.) native spoke to ESPN about his decision to play for the Adelaine 36ers.
Lets GO! pic.twitter.com/6FusMcf9EJ
— Trentyn Flowers (@FlowersTrentyn) August 14, 2023
“This was the toughest decision I’ve ever made. Louisville was my dream college. But I feel like signing in the NBL gives me the best chance to lock in and develop my game. I’m going over there to play point guard, to learn how to run a team, and be a player like LaMelo Ball or Josh Giddey. Adelaide is a place for me to lock in and focus on my game.”
NBA Rumors: Third 2024 NBA Prospect Decides to Bypass College
Initially a member of the 2024 recruiting class, Flowers elected to graduate early and enroll at Louisville this summer. He has been practicing with the Cardinals since June. The 6-foot-8, 180-pound guard chose Louisville over his other finalists, North Carolina, Creighton, Arkansas, Kansas, and Alabama.
Flowers was the crown jewel of UofL’s 2023 recruiting class. He was given a four-star rating by 247Sports (No. 30 overall) and five-stars by 247 Sports Composite (No. 21). Meanwhile, he was rated as a four-star prospect by On3 (No.29), ESPN (No. 17), and Rivals (No. 24).
“Trentyn is one of the most talented young players – regardless of class – in the country,” Cardinals head coach Kenny Payne said at the time of Flowers’ commitment. “He’s a 6-8 guard who can score, rebound, pass, and defend, and he’s an elite athlete with an excellent basketball IQ.”
Flowers averaged 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game as a junior at Combine Academy in North Carolina. Flowers shot 45% from the field and 33% from the 3-point line while leading his squad to a 37-5 record and the Phenom HoopState Championship title. He had 15 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the championship victory over Winston-Salem Christian.
Scouting Report
Flowers gave his scouting report to On3, calling himself a “unicorn.” Because he’s a rare player at 6-foot-8 that shows “Flashes of handles to attack closeouts and operate in pick-and-roll situations. I also have a good touch and athleticism that creates headaches for people.”
Here’s more from On3.
“Flowers has a great frame with solid length and positional size. Flowers is a fluid athlete with explosive pop that shows around the rim. Flowers has smooth mechanics on his jump shot, with a high and consistent release. He has shown a toughness on the boards and instincts in the passing lanes. Incredible upside with a player who is already producing.”
Flowers Is The Latest To Bypass College
While Flowers’ timing might not have been ideal for Louisville, he is certainly not the first or last player to decide against going to college. He is the third potential 2024 draft pick to do so, joining Matas Basilas and Ron Howard. Basilas and Howard will be playing for G-League Ignite and are considered the No. 1 and No. 2 rated draft prospects in next year’s class by some publications.
Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Dyson Daniels, and Scoot Henderson — all of whom have been selected in the top 10 — are alums of G-League Ignite. Leonard Miller, Mojave King, and Sidy Cissoko played for G-League Ignite last season and were second-round choices. MarJon Beauchamp and Jaden Hardy were Ignite products drafted in 2022.
While G-League Ignite has had tremendous success in developing NBA prospects recently, Australia has been doing it longer. In addition to Ball and Giddey, several other players who played in the NBL have gotten drafted since 2010. Ousmane Dieng, Rayan Rupert, Luke Travers, and Hugo Beesan have been NBL draft picks over the last two seasons.
Flowers another big name heading to Australia this season. Alex Sarr, AJ Johnson, Bobi Klintman are other potential 2024 first-rounders who'll be play in NBL. https://t.co/abWBN3ylki
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) August 14, 2023
Flowers is also not the only 2024 draft hopeful playing in the NBL this upcoming season. Alex Sarr, AJ Johnson, and Bobi Klintman are potential draft picks who play “Down Under.”
Final Word
Flowers is by no means a surefire draft pick. Hopefully, for Flowers, going to Australia is a good decision for his future. While very talented and young, Flowers still has a lot to work on to reach his goal of reaching the NBA. He needs to work on consistency, adding mass to his frame, and decision-making.
USA Today Sports had Flowers going No. 11 in their June mock draft. However, ESPN or The Athletic didn’t list him in their early mocks.
