Tommy Birch

tbirch@dmreg.com

Iowa State’s most decorated recruit in its incoming class won’t ever make it to Ames.

Emmanuel Malou has decided to remain in the NBA Draft and not come to Iowa State.

ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla was the first to report the news. Daniel Moldovan, an agent with Entersport Management Inc., confirmed the report to The Register. Moldovan told the Register in an email that Malou had signed with him.

“After careful consideration, I have decided that it is time to pursue my NBA dream and sign with an agent,” Malou said in a statement released Wednesday by Iowa State. “I know that it is going to require a huge amount of work, but I am motivated and excited for the challenges that lie ahead. I would like to thank all the staff at Iowa State for all that they have done for me. I want to wish them and the players the best of luck in the coming season.”

The 6-foot-9 Malou had signed a letter of intent with Iowa State, but had declared for the draft as a backup plan if he couldn’t play college ball.

A native Australian, Malou had attended the now-defunct ABCD Prep in Des Moines and Yuba College in California. He averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and was a 47 percent 3-point shooter in the 2014-15 season at Yuba. The Iowa State recruit didn’t play last season after transferring to Des Moines Area Community College to work on his academics.

If Malou is an Iowa State no-go, how can Cyclones move on?

Iowa State had been waiting to hear if Malou would be cleared to play by the NCAA. What exactly was the NCAA looking at? Even Malou didn't know. But Malou said he had spoken with Iowa State’s compliance department, which asked about his academic history. He added that he provided school officials with a rundown of his past six years.

“I’m confident that Iowa State will get this done with the NCAA and hopefully I’m cleared," Malou said in an interview with The Register last month. "But, as the same time, I’m ready to go and work as hard as I can to get a job.”

Iowa State coach Steve Prohm told reporters last week that the Boston Celtics had called and inquired about Malou. Prohm did not immediately return a text message from The Register on Wednesday. Malou did not return multiple calls to him by The Register.

For the first time, players like Malou are allowed to test the NBA waters without losing eligibility as long as they don't hire an agent. In order to come to Iowa State, Malou had to withdraw from the draft by May 25. The issue for Malou was whether the NCAA rule before then.

“I know Plan B is the NBA, and of course there will be other plans after that if it doesn’t work,” he said last month. “With the Iowa State thing — I’m just hoping for the best and praying.”

As it turned out, Malou will never make it to Iowa State.

“Manny has informed us that he will stay in the NBA Draft,” Prohm said in the statement issued by the school. “We wish him the best as he pursues his dream of playing basketball professionally in the NBA.”