Ashton Pankey, a 6-foot-10 redshirt junior from Manhattan, will declare for the NBA Draft instead of applying for a sixth year of eligibility at the MAAC school, he told SNY.tv and said on Twitter.
Pankey, who turns 23 next month, averaged 13.4 points and 6.7 rebounds this past season as the Jaspers made a run to the NCAA Tournament under head coach Steve Masiello.
An NBA scout told SNY.tv he doesn’t see Pankey getting drafted.
“Been giving this much thought over the past couple weeks,” he wrote on Instagram. “But I just want to announce I’m going Pro. It’s always been a lifelong dream of mine to play in the NBA.. Or playing this game professionally and now I have that opportunity. First and foremost I would like to give the biggest thanks to Manhattan college.. The coaching staff, for believing in me. Coach massiello is not only a great head coach.. But an awesome person. You believed in me and have always been there when I needed you most and I give all the thanks to you. The assistant coaches for helping me to become a better player here. I appreciate you guys more than words can ever describe. To my teammates.. My brothers.. We have built a bond and friendship that could never be broken. Nothing can get in the way of the love I have for you guys. We have won 2 championships in 2 years and won many games and made history together. That is something that can never be taken from us. I wish I could stay for one more year and possibly win a third but providing for my family has always been priority number one for me. I will miss you guys dearly. I just also want to say that I’m graduating next month.. And that I will have my degree and fulfilling a promise I made to my mom many years ago. Thank you for everything. I am excited and ready for this next chapter in my life.”
Panicky began his college career at Maryland, where he received a medical redshirt in the 2010-11 season and then played the 2011-12 season before transferring to Manhattan and sitting out in 2012-13.
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