Swanigan to explore NBA process

Purdue men’s basketball recruited Caleb Swanigan in part because of his NBA-bound combination of size and skill.

As expected, Purdue announced Tuesday that Swanigan will declare for the 2016 NBA draft but will not hire an agent, allowing him the option to later withdraw and return to school.

Players can enter the draft multiple times and participate in the NBA Scouting Combine and one team workout per year.

This year, the combine will be held May 10-15 in Chicago, giving Swanigan until May 25 to withdraw.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Swanigan averaged 10.2 points and 8.3 rebounds leading the Big Ten Conference in that category much of the season and was named to the Big Ten’s All-Freshman Team.

“I like them being seen by the NBA and getting a ranking,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said in January after the rule change was announced.