April 23, 2015

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV men's basketball 6-foot-11-inch sophomore forward Christian Wood has announced that he intends to declare for the 2015 NBA Draft.

"I am proud to be a Runnin' Rebel," Wood said. "Coach (Dave) Rice has always been one of my biggest supporters, along with the entire coaching staff. One thing I will miss most about UNLV is the fans. The entire city of Las Vegas has supported me. I would like to thank everyone who supported me through this process. It has always been my dream to be in the NBA."

Wood, who was selected Second-Team All-Mountain West and Second-Team NABC All-District 17 this season, averaged 15.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in 2014-15. He was second on the team in scoring (fifth in the MW), while he led the squad in rebounding (second in the MW). He also recorded a team-high-tying 90 blocks during the season, which is tied for fourth all-time at UNLV.

"Chris will always be a Runnin' Rebel," UNLV men's basketball head coach Dave Rice said. "He came to us two years ago as a guy who was not on anyone's draft board, and now he's on most draft boards. The feedback we received from the NBA indicated he will be drafted. I think it speaks volumes to how he developed as a player in our program. We wish him the best."

Wood recorded 18 double-doubles, which ranked eighth in the country, while scoring 20 or more points on nine occasions and recording double figures in rebounding 20 times. He shot 49.7 percent from the field, while playing in all 33 of UNLV's contests this season (started 32). Wood is the second Runnin' Rebel to leave UNLV early this season as freshman guard Rashad Vaughn also decided to enter the NBA Draft earlier this month.