Mizzou star forward Kobe Brown declares for NBA Draft, keeps return to Columbia a possibility

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou men's basketball standout forward Kobe Brown took to social media Sunday afternoon announcing that he has declared for the 2023 NBA Draft.

This comes after uncertainty if Brown would take his talents to the next level or use his fifth year of eligibility and stay in Columbia. Brown also said in his draft declaration that he will be maintaining his last year of eligibility, which means the option is open for him to return to Mizzou.

Brown has had a stellar career with the Tigers, being one of just three players that stuck around when head coach Dennis Gates took over the program last season.

Throughout his four seasons in the black and gold, Brown's numbers on the stat line have continued to go up. Brown went from averaging around six points his freshman year to nearly 16 this points season. Not to mention his 6.4 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists. This past season under Gates, Brown also saw his best shooting percentages of his career knocking down 55.3% of shots from the field and 45.5% from the three-point line.

Brown is now expected to go through pre-draft workouts and attend the NBA combine from May 15-21 in Chicago. The deadline for players to withdraw from the draft and continue playing at the college level is May 31.