It's Official: Carter-Williams is Going Pro

Michael Carter-Williams, who just six years ago called the gymnasium at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School his home court, will enter the NBA draft this June.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by Carter-Williams' coach at Syracuse University, Jim Boeheim. Carter-Williams is a sophomore point guard at the school and played a key role for the team this season, helping them to the Final Four of the March Madness tournament.

"Michael has informed me of his intention to enter the NBA Draft," said Boeheim in the Wednesday afternoon announcement. "He's coming off a tremendous season and we appreciate all he's done for Syracuse basketball. We wish Michael the best of luck as he pursues a pro career."

For Carter-Williams, that success came amid adversity. While the Orange were defeating the University of California in the Round of 32, his family's Hamilton home caught fire and was badly damaged in a three-alarm fire. That same week, he also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as one of the magazine's four cover nationwide to preview the tournament.

This season, Carter-Williams played more minutes per game, 35.2 minutes, than any other Orange player and was fifth in average assists (7.3) and fourth in average steals (2.78) per game in Division 1 basketball.

For the past few months, Carter-Williams had been the subject of speculation about whether he would enter the draft. As recently as February, his mother said Carter-Williams remained undecided.

Carter-Williams played his freshman year at the Regional before transferring to St. Andrew's in Rhode Island, where he was named the state's Gatorade Player of the Year.