Nathan Baird

nbaird@jconline.com

Haas ranked second for Purdue in scoring (12.5) and rebounding (5.0) in 19.5 minutes per game.

Has scored 1,041 career points in 1,678 minutes, averaging 24.8 per 40 minutes.

The deadline for withdrawing from the draft and returning to college is May 24.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue center Isaac Haas' physical attributes cannot be ignored.

NBA scouts and general managers are already aware of the 7-2, 290-pound senior-to-be's uncommon size. Haas must now prove he can move that body well enough to compete with the best basketball players in the world.

Haas on Monday joined Caleb Swanigan and Vincent Edwards as Purdue players who have declared for the NBA Draft without hiring an agent. That leaves open the option of returning to Purdue for a senior year.

Haas and other undergraduates who declare without hiring an agent have until May 24 to withdraw and retain collegiate eligibility.

When Swanigan and Edwards pursued the draft evaluation process last year, Haas passed. At the time, he considered the decision one of principle. Haas said he always believed he would not pursue the draft process unless his college career was over.

Haas, however, reconsidered, hinting at his decision after a season-ending loss to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.

"I'm looking forward to doing that," Haas said in Kansas City. "Most likely I'm probably going to just go through it and we'll see where we stand from there."

Haas ranked second to Swanigan among Purdue players in scoring (12.6 points) and rebounding (5.0) in only 19.5 minutes per game. He shot 58.7 percent from the field and 71.1 percent at the free throw line.

Yet Haas' prodigious physical stature remains his most recognizable asset. As he works out for NBA teams in the coming weeks, he must demonstrate the agility and quickness necessary at the next level.

Haas can be one of the most efficient offensive players in the nation on a given night. Despite absorbing a lot of contact, much of it without foul calls, Haas is at times unguardable around the basket.

However, the amount of time he spent on the floor for the Boilermakers was at times limited by unfavorable defensive matchups.

One scout said he believes Haas could make an NBA roster because his size translates to professional basketball. However, he doubted Haas' ability to defend NBA big men — many of whom can score from the perimeter and put the ball on the floor to attack the basket.

"Even at Purdue you saw games where they pulled him out because of his lateral mobility," said the scout, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "If they're pulling him out in college that will definitely happen in the pros."

Another scout said Haas' huge body and hands will intrigue front office personnel. Yet he remained skeptical of Haas' ability to keep up with the pace of NBA play.

That's something Haas can attempt to prove in the workouts ahead.

Follow Journal & Courier Purdue sports reporter Nathan Baird on Twitter: @nbairdjc.

NBA draft important dates

April 23—Deadline for NCAA underclassmen to declare.

May 11-14—NBA draft combine at Quest Multisport Complex in Chicago.

May 24—Deadline for declared underclassmen who did not hire an agent to withdraw and return to college with eligibility.

June 12—Deadline for international and non-NCAA players to withdraw from draft.

June 22—NBA draft