Jonas Valanciunas, Davis Bertans Remain in 2011 NBA Draft; Lucas Nogueira Pulls Out

Jonas Valanciunas and Davis Bertans did not withdraw their names from the 2011 NBA Draft by Monday deadline, according to DraftExpress, and will beeligible for selection at the June 23 draft. Lucas Nogueria has withdrawn, however.

International players who had entered their names in the 2011 draft in April had until Monday to withdraw and remove themselves from the draft-eligible rolls. Technically, all players had the option of withdrawing by Monday, but the NCAA has instituted its own early withdrawal date for underclassmen to be able to retain college eligibility. This has created two standards for “testing the waters,” giving international prospects more time to read the market.

Valanciunas, a 19-year-old Lithuanian center, is working out the details of a buy-out with his domestic club; some feared that uncertainty would lead to a last-minute withdrawal, despite the player maintaining his commitment to the 2011 derby. But considering that Valanciunas is perceived as an absolute lock for the top 10 -- likely the top seven -- there wasn’t a whole lot of risk involved.

Bertans, a Latvia small forward, is further down the board, projected somewhere in the late first round and early second. ESPN’s Chad Ford reported over the weekend from Treviso, Italy, that Bertans would withdraw if not given a first-round guarantee. That he remains in the draft would indicate he has received such a promise from a team picking late in the first.

Nogueira was in a boat similar to Bertans, but elected to delay his NBA candidacy. The Brazilian titan plays in Spain.