Mitch McGary to enter NBA Draft

The dust has finally settled and Michigan's 2014-15 basketball squad is set to look quite a bit different than this year's team.

Michigan lost all three of its potential early NBA draft entries as well as soon-to-be fifth year senior Jon Horford who will be transferring to play out his final year of eligibility elsewhere.

Today's news on McGary started a few hours ago when Dan Wetzel first reported that McGary, after dressing for a game in the NCAA tournament but not playing, was randomly selected for a drug test that he did not pass.  The penalty for a first failed drug test ?  A one year suspension.

With any chance to play next year vaporizing before his eyes, McGary's decision became easy.  From the press release:

"My family and I want to thank everyone for giving us privacy and the time to make this decision," said McGary. "As you know, it was important for us to weigh all the factors that go into something like this. With that being said, I am ready to move on to the next stage in my life and enter the NBA Draft.

"Being a part of a program that values integrity, it is important to let everyone know of a poor decision I recently made. I tested positive for marijuana during the NCAA Tournament. We were notified of that result after the Final Four. I regret thoroughly disappointing my family, coaches and administration. Despite all of this they have been understanding and helpful over the last couple of weeks.

"I take full responsibility for this poor choice and want to apologize to everyone, especially those I have grown close to during my fabulous two years at the University of Michigan.

Mitch McGary's time at Michigan was short and felt much shorter due to all of the injuries that hampered his ability to get on the court and play at full strength.  However, when he was playing at his highest level, there were very few things he couldn't do, and outside of Trey Burke there is no player more responsible for Michigan's title game run last year in the NCAA Tournament.  It is a shame Mitch couldn't end his career on his own terms and that the NCAA's draconian marijuana regulations have made his decision for him.

"If it had been a Michigan test, I would've been suspended three games and possibly thought about coming back," McGary said. "I don't have the greatest circumstances to leave right now [due to the injury]. I feel I'm ready, but this pushed it overboard.

"I don't think the penalty fits the crime. I think one year is overdoing it a little bit."

Michigan is still recruiting Aubrey Dawkins and Nevada sophomore Cole Huff.  With McGary's departure the Wolverines will have room for both players if they decide to commit.  Huff would have to sit out a year before joining Michigan for his final two years of eligibility.

Good luck to Mitch in the future.