Oakland's Felder Declares for NBA Draft

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland University's Kay Felder will explore his professional opportunities as he has declared for the 2016 NBA Draft, announced the Detroit native on Tuesday.

Felder is the first Horizon League men’s basketball student-athlete to declare early for the draft since Detroit’s Ray McCallum did so prior to the 2013 NBA Draft. The point guard is just the second Oakland player to enter the draft early, as Keith Benson also declared in 2010 but returned for his senior year.

"I am declaring for the NBA draft but I have not hired an agent," said Felder. "I am keeping my options open but would like to thank everyone at Oakland University, especially my teammates and coaches, who have helped me through this process. I'll keep sure to try and continue to make the right decisions for me and my family in the future."

Felder led the NCAA in assists per game with 9.2 and ranked fourth in scoring at 24.2. He was a top-15 finalist for the John R. Wooden award, a top-10 finalist for the Bob Cousy Award and the Horizon League Player of the Year. Felder was named an AP All-American third team selection, and also a third team All-America honoree by the NABC and the Sporting News. Felder scored 20 points in all but five games this season and recorded 10 or more assists on 19 occasions. He became just the fifth player in the last 20 years to average over 23 points and six assists in a single season.

Felder set a career-high with 38 points along with nine assists and six rebounds at Washington and then followed that performance with 37 points and nine assists versus No. 1 Michigan State. In four games against Power-5 Conference opponents this season, including two ranked inside the top-5, he averaged 32.0 points, 6.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds. Felder broke the Horizon League's career assists mark after totaling over 300 dimes this season and currently sits at 788 for his career.

The lefty is looking to become the sixth player drafted from the Horizon League since 2010. Green Bay’s Alec Brown was taken 50th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2014 NBA Draft, joining Gordon Hayward (Utah, No. 9 overall, 2010), Norris Cole (Miami via Chicago, No. 28 overall, 2011), Shelvin Mack (Washington, No. 34 overall, 2011), and Ray McCallum (Sacramento, No. 36 overall, 2013).

Only one player in Oakland program history has been drafted to the NBA when Benson was selected as the 48th overall pick to the Atlanta Hawks in 2011. He played for the Golden State Warriors in the 2011-12 season and is currently in the D-League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. The only other player to reach the NBA was Rawle Marshall who spent the 2005-06 season with the Dallas Mavericks and 2006-07 with the Indiana Pacers. Marshall was signed as a free agent.