Alec Peters knows only one speed.
Full.
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So, even though the Valparaiso junior forward hasn’t hired an agent and doesn’t intend to do so, he has every intention of pursuing his NBA dream with everything he has.
Peters declared Thursday for the NBA Draft, taking advantage of the relaxed timeline implemented this year. He can begin workouts for teams on April 26, participate in the NBA Draft Combine from May 10 to 15 if invited, and still withdraw by the May 25 deadline if the feedback isn’t favorable.
“I’m declaring with the hope to get drafted, and I’m going to attack the process like I’m going to get drafted this year,” Peters said. “I’m going to go to workouts like I approach every practice and game, and that’s working as hard as I can and playing at the highest level I can.”
Peters averaged 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Crusaders this season, especially elevating his play down the stretch as they reached the NIT championship game. Mock drafts have not included the Associated Press honorable mention All-American.
But Peters can improve his stock during the next several weeks. He said new Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich and assistant Luke Gore will help set up workouts.
“Alec is family, and I’m super excited for him,” Lottich said. “I hope he makes every shot he takes in NBA workouts, I hope he’s good enough to get drafted in the first round. If he does, we’re going to celebrate like crazy.
” If not, like any family member, we’ll welcome him back with open arms. We want him to leave here as the all-time leading scorer and the all-time leading rebounder.”
The last Valparaiso player to declare early for the NBA Draft was Brandon Wood in 2011. He withdrew, then went to Michigan State as a graduate transfer for his final season.
Peters also will have the option to play his final college season elsewhere as a graduate transfer.
“That’s nothing that has to be decided at this point,” he said. “I’m just focused on this (NBA) process.
“I’ve had a lot of people help me with this decision, people in basketball who know what it’s like in the NBA. At the end of the day, I felt like it was a good decision for me.”
A “crazy” several days that saw the departure of Bryce Drew to Vanderbilt and the hiring of Lottich at Valparaiso shouldn’t affect Peters’ decision-making dramatically.
“He embodies everything you want in a head coach,” Peters said of Lottich.
Lottich expressed concern about the possibility of Peters leaving as a grad transfer, but not a ton.
“You obviously think about it, but that’s a decision for the Peters family,” Lottich said. “I know he’s happy here, I know he loves it here. If he’s not playing in the NBA and he’s playing in college, we’re confident it will be in a Valparaiso uniform.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff