UNLV freshman Brandon McCoy declares for NBA draft
UNLV freshman Brandon McCoy declares for NBA Draft. Las Vegas Review-Journal
Updated March 27, 2018 - 7:43 pm

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) scores a shot against Air Force Falcons in the second half of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, March 7, 2018. UNLV won 97-90. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) blocks Nevada Wolf Pack forward Cody Martin (11) in the second half of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, March 8, 2018. Nevada won 79-74. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco

UNLV Rebels guard Kris Clyburn (1), forward Shakur Juiston (10) and forward Brandon McCoy (44) wait for play to resume in the second half of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament game against Nevada Wolf Pack at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, March 8, 2018. Nevada won 79-74. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) is pressured by Nevada Wolf Pack forward Caleb Martin (10) and guard Josh Hall (33) in the second half of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, March 8, 2018. Nevada won 79-74. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) takes a shot against Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, March 8, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco

Nevada guard Jordan Caroline (24) jumps up for a shot attempt with UNLV forward Brandon McCoy (44) on his arm during the second half of an NCAA college basketball quarterfinals game in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow)

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) goes up for a shot under pressure from Nevada Wolf Pack forward Elijah Foster (12) and guard Hallice Cooke (13) in the first half of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, March 8, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) goes up for a shot under pressure from Nevada Wolf Pack forward Elijah Foster (12) and guard Hallice Cooke (13) in the first half of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, March 8, 2018. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) shoots for a score against pressure from Air Force Falcons guard Keaton Van Soelen (44) in the first half of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, March 7, 2018. UNLV won 97-90. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco

UNLV forward Brandon McCoy (44) shoots over Utah State forward Quinn Taylor (10) during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP)

UNLV forward Brandon McCoy (44) reaches for a rebound during the second half of a basketball game against UNR at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. UNR won 101-75. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) shoots over Fresno State Bulldogs forward Bryson Williams (11) during the first half of a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) comes up short on an attempted dunk against Air Force during a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) shoots over Air Force Falcons center Frank Toohey (33) and guard Caleb Morris (0) during a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) shoots over Air Force Falcons center Frank Toohey (33) and guard Caleb Morris (0) during a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) blocks a shot from Air Force Falcons guard Sid Tomes (3) during a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) shoots over San Jose State Spartans center Ashtin Chastain (41) during a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

UNLV Rebels forward Brandon McCoy (44) gets a rebound over San Jose State during a basketball game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Brandon McCoy was expected to be a one-and-done player when he committed to UNLV.
The freshman center made it official Tuesday when he declared for the NBA draft after one season with the Rebels.
“This is probably one of the toughest decisions I have ever made,” McCoy said in a news release. “My experience at UNLV has been amazing. I love Las Vegas, the university, Coach (Marvin) Menzies, my teammates and the entire Runnin’ Rebel program. I will always be a Rebel, but when weighing all the factors, with the support of my family, I have decided it is in my best interest to forgo my collegiate eligibility and pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA.”
McCoy was named the Mountain West’s Freshman of the Year, setting conference freshman records for scoring (16.9 points per game) and rebounding (10.3). He finished third in the nation among freshmen and 11th overall with 18 double-doubles, which led the league.
McCoy plans to hire an agent and will not leave the door open for a return to UNLV, according to sources close to the team.
He does intend to complete his schooling, however.
“I plan to earn my degree and will continue to work with Coach so that is achieved in the near future,” McCoy said. “There were so many great memories created here. I want to thank the entire Rebel Family, and I will be their biggest fan moving forward. I will carry the Vegas Strong mentality with me for the rest of my life.”
McCoy was a McDonald’s All-American and a consensus five-star recruit and was named a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, which goes to the nation’s top center.
He averaged 1.8 blocks and made 54.5 percent of his shots for a UNLV team that finished 20-13, ending its season with a loss to UNR in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
“Brandon was an amazing addition to our program and helped to legitimize our ability to recruit top-tier talent,” Menzies said in a release. “His commitment to his academics is real, and I am confident he will continue to work toward his bachelor’s degree from UNLV. Even though his time here was short, it was great having him as a part of the program. I am confident he will have a successful career at the next level based on his dedication, commitment, ability and overall character.”
McCoy grew up in Chicago and graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego.
NBADraft.net projects McCoy as the No. 27 pick in the first round.
More Rebels: Follow all of our UNLV coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJRebels on Twitter.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-277-8028. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter.