Texas Longhorns Sophomore PG Myck Kabongo Declares for the NBA Draft

And like that...he's gone. Texas Longhorns sophomore point guard Myck Kabongo has declared for the NBA Draft, according to the esteemed Longhorn Network Twitter page.

Sophomore point guard Myck Kabongo has elected to leave Texas and will enter the NBA draft.

— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) April 12, 2013

Kabongo was a former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American, and the last of the Canadian/Findlay Prep pipeline that filtered so much talent and such fleeting success through the Longhorns program. Kabongo was forced to sit out the first 23 games of his sophomore year after accepting impermissible benefits. By the time he returned, the season was effectively over. Kabongo played just 11 games for Texas, averaging 14.6 PPG and 5.5 APG. Texas' season was such a dumpster fire that his shortened performance still earned him team MVP honors.

Prior to his freshman season, many NBA Scouts saw Kabongo as a future first-round and potential lottery pick. His star has dimmed some, but Kabongo is still projected to be drafted somewhere in the 60 available picks. His ceiling is just outside the lottery, but there is a very good chance he will slip outside the first round and not receive a guaranteed contract. Apparently for Kabongo, that alternative was still preferable to dealing with the NCAA's byzantine and generally inept regulations.

Unfortunately for Texas fans, Kabongo's career will always come with a "what if" asterisk. He flashed a lot of potential while on the Forty Acres, but will ultimately be remembered for his ludicrous suspension and personification as first mate aboard the Titanic that was Rick Barnes' first losing season at Texas. Hopefully, a better life awaits Kabongo in the NBA.