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NBA Draft 2011: Brazilian Lucas Nogueira Pulls Out Of Draft

Yesterday was the final day for NBA Draft withdrawals, at least for international players. Because of the NCAA's strident (and ridiculous) rules, there are really separate dates for players to withdraw their names from the draft. International players get a bit of an advantage in this because they can wait a bit longer and see where their stock is going. None of the huge names like Jonas Valanciunas or Davis Bertans pulled out, but Brazilian center Lucas Nogueira did.

Nogueira was likely the only mid-first round center worth considering, and his absence from the pool will likely push the Rockets even more towards drafting a forward or guard with the No. 14 overall pick, should they keep it. DraftExpress has the entire list of withdrawals here. Perhaps the biggest name that withdrew at the NCAA's deadline is Kentucky forward Terrence Jones, who was being mocked to Houston and around the mid-teens before he decided to go back to Kentucky for his sophomore season.

Images by eflon used in background images under a Creative Commons license. Thank you.