Iowa State commit Emmanuel Malou to remain in NBA draft

Emmanuel Malou's Iowa State career is over before it even started.

The highly touted junior college transfer will hire an agent and remain in the NBA draft, leaving the Cyclones before he played a game.

"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. "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."

The 6-foot-9, 209-pound Australian forward reportedly would've had problems qualifying academically to play next season, so the move shouldn't come as too much of a shock.

With Georges Niang, Abdel Nader, and Jameel McKay lost to graduation, Malou's decision leaves a hole in next season's Cyclones frontcourt.