Nebrasketball: Dalano Banton Declares for 2021 NBA Draft, Retaining NCAA Eligibility

The Nebraska Cornhuskers starting point guard Dalano Banton announced on Twitter late morning of Memorial Day that he will be entering his name in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Banton is a rising junior, and made clear he will retain his eligibility to return to the NCAA level. This is a move that is typically a great learning experience for college players to receive valuable feedback at no big expense for how to elevate their game. More players looking to make a move eventually to the pro level should take advantage of recent rule changes like this.

Banton is a Western Kentucky transfer, and a unique player at the role as he stands 6-foor-9. After sitting out the 2019-20 season under transfer rules, Banton made 22 starts and saw action in 27 total games for the Huskers in his redshirt sophomore year last season. He averaged 9.6 points per game while leading the Huskers in both rebounding (5.9) and assists (3.9) per game. He ranked ninth in the Big Ten in assists, 15th in blocked shots, and 18th in rebounding.

Banton became the first player since 1974 to lead UNL in both rebounding and assists while he topped the Huskers in blocked shots (25) and ranked third in steals. He also became just the second player in Nebrasketball history to notch a triple-double, scoring 13 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing 10 assists in 21 minutes against Doane.

Banton played 31 games at Western Kentucky in 2018-19, averaging 3.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He made 12 starts that season. His versatility as a player especially shined in his stat line as the Hilltoppers notched a win over No. 15 Wisconsin and Banton nearly posted a triple-double with 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and eight points in a career-high 38 minutes.