Austin, Texas ? Texas forward P.J. Tucker, the Big 12 Conference player of the year, has signed with an agent and will not return to the Longhorns.
Tucker said last month he would explore his NBA Draft position, but remained eligible to return because he had not signed with an agent. School spokesman Scott McConnell said Thursday that Tucker signed with agent Leon Rose.
The burly 6-foot-5 player led the Longhorns in scoring and rebounding last season, averaging 16.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Texas set a school record with 30 victories and made it to the Atlanta Regional final in the NCAA Tournament.
But one by one, key members of that team are leaving the program.
Center LaMarcus Aldridge, who averaged 15 points and 9.2 rebounds, declared for the NBA Draft last month. Shooting guard Daniel Gibson, who averaged 13.4 points and hit a school-record 101 three-pointers last season, also has declared, but has not signed with an agent.
Seniors Brad Buckman and Kenton Paulino have finished their eligibility. If Gibson ultimately leaves, the Longhorns won’t have a single returning starter next season.