Osiris Eldridge Declares For 2009 NBA Draft

NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State junior guard Osiris Eldridge has declared himself eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft. Eldridge will not sign with an agent and will have until June 15 to withdraw his name from the list of participants for the NBA Draft, which takes place June 25.

"Obviously, we support Osiris in this process and understand his willingness to weigh his options," said Illinois State head basketball coach Tim Jankovich. "This is a tremendous opportunity for him and, at the very least; it will be a great learning experience for him to build on for next year. We want what's in the best interest of Osiris and we will be behind him 100 percent."

Eldridge, who was named the 2009 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player, is a two-time first-team all-league selection and was named to the conference's all-defensive team for the first time in his career this past season.

The Chicago native ranked second on the team in scoring last season with 14 points per game. Eldridge was also second on the team in rebounding with 6.2 boards per contest. He led the Redbirds with 52 steals and ranked third with 83 assists.

Eldridge has led the Redbirds to 49 wins over the last two seasons and back-to-back postseason appearances.