Adama Sanogo, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, has declared for the NBA Draft.
The UConn standout helped the Huskies to their fifth national championship, all won in the past 24 years.
The Huskies defeated all of their opponents in the March Madness tournament by at least 13 points, culminating in a 76-59 win over the San Diego State Aztecs. Sanogo had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the championship win.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Connecticut’s Adama Sanogo (21) looks to pass off a rebound against St. Mary’s Mitchell Saxen (11) in the first half of an NCAA Tournament second round game on March 19, 2023 in Albany, NY (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
«Thank you UConn. Thank you to the best fans in the country who have supported me since the first day I came to Storrs,» Sanogo said in a Instagram Post Thursday. «Thanks to the incredible support and guidance of Coach [Dan] Hurley and staff. They invested the time and energy to make me a better player and person.
«Most importantly, thanks to my family and support system who have always allowed me to focus on achieving my dreams and have sacrificed so much for me. I am very excited for the next stop on my journey and proud to announce that I will be declaring for the Draft. of the 2023 NBA and I will stay focused on the process and give myself every possible opportunity to hear my name. I will always cherish my time at UConn and it will always be my home away from home.»
Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo gets past Miami guard Isaiah Wong during the second half of a Final Four game in the NCAA Tournament on April 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
SHAQ SUGGESTS JILL BIDEN’S IOWA WHITE HOUSE INVITATION WISH WAS RELATED TO CAREER
He was a third-team All-American last season, averaging 17.2 points and 7.7 rebounds on 60.6% shooting on the season. In the tournament, he kicked it up a few notches.
In six tournament games he had 19.7 points and 9.8 rebounds on 66.7% shooting with four double-doubles.
Despite declaring for the draft, Sanogo’s 6-foot-9 draft stock is up in the air. Most pundits believe he’s a mid-second-round pick at best.
Adama Sanogo of the Connecticut Huskies cuts a piece of netting after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs 76-59 in the NCAA Men’s National Championship game at NRG Stadium on April 3, 2023 in Houston. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Sanogo moved to the United States from Mali in 2015, just a year after taking up the sport of basketball. He was the first African-born player to win the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award since Hakeem Olajuwon did it with Houston in 1983.