Deng Adel
Dec 29, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Deng Adel (22) shoots the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22) in the first half at Rupp Arena. USA TODAY Sports / Mark Zerof

Sudanese-Australian forward Deng Adel has declared his intention to enter the forthcoming 2018 NBA Draft. Adel has drawn comparisons with Thon Maker, another Sudanese-Australian, who was drafted No. 10 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks at the 2016 NBA Draft.

While Adel isn't entering the league with Maker's physical gifts, the 6-foot-7 forward spent three full seasons playing collegiate basketball for the Louisville Cardinals and led the team in scoring this past season, averaging a tally of 15.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a junior. Adel had the option of finishing his fourth and final year in college but decided to go pro instead, via an Instagram post on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).

Adel was born in Sudan and eventually settled with his family in Melbourne, Australia. Adel joins Cardinals teammate Ray Spalding in declaring for the NBA Draft.

"Just want to start off thanking my teammates, David Padgett, the whole basketball staff and Card Nation! The past three years have been full of surprises but to go through it with the city of Louisville and this great university has been a blessing because it shows how resilient and supporting this city is," Adel said on his Instagram post (see below).

According to the Courier Journal, Adel has already drawn a lot of interest from NBA scouts entering the draft. "A wing who started playing competitive basketball at 14, Adel intrigued NBA scouts when he entered his name into the draft pool last season. A physical small forward who weighs 200 pounds and was considered one of the strongest players on Louisville's roster, Adel finished his sophomore season strong, averaging 16.3 points and 4.2 rebounds over the final six games of that campaign."

The 2018 NBA Draft will be staged on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies currently own the best odds to land the No. 1 overall pick during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 18, 2018.