The Thurgood Marshall graduate is not planning on hiring an agent, which leaves an opening for him to return for a senior year of eligibility. But Alstork said he’s intent on moving forward, not coming back.
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“I want to leave that option open, but mindset is to go all in for the draft,” he said. “As of right now, that’s my main focus. I’m not even thinking about coming back to college as an option right now. I’m looking at it as going into the NBA is the only option I have.”
A 6-foot-5 guard, Alstork led the Raiders in scoring last season at 19.0 points per game. He shot 40 percent from the field and his 84.6 percent mark from the free throw line was second highest on the team.
He said he decided shortly after the season ended that he wanted to declare for the draft but he waited to announce because he wanted to sit down with the WSU coaches.
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“I wanted to find out the right, proper steps I needed to take to do it,” he said. “The coaches said they’re going to support me in whatever step I decide to take.”
Head coach Scott Nagy echoed that sentiment Thursday.
“We are very supportive of Mark and his desire to play at the next level,” he said. “Part of that process is helping Mark learn what he needs to improve. I know he’s anxious to see how he fits in, and we want to help him be the best he can be.”
By declaring for the draft, Alstork can attend NBA team workouts and attend the Draft Combine in Chicago from May 9-14, if he receives an invitation.
“That’s definitely a big goal,” he said of the Combine. “I definitely want to go prove myself.”
The deadline for Alstork to withdraw from draft consideration and return for his senior season is June 12. The NBA Draft is June 22.
The last WSU player drafted was Vitaly Potapenko, who went 12th overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1996.
“I just want to say ‘thank you’ to all the coaches I’ve had, the fans, my family and my city,” Alstork said. “Being from Dayton, I want to thank them all for allowing me to my fulfill my dreams.”
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