Apr 18, 2014 03:25 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Rodney Hood is going to follow Jabari Parker into the NBA Draft, announcing his intention to declare a day after his teammate did.

The six-foot-eight guard/forward will forgo two more years of athletic eligibility to join what continues to shape into a deep first-round draft class. Hood and Parker created a lethal combo of big athletic forwards, but Duke is replacing them with the number one high school recruit, center Jahlil Okafor, and the number four recruit, guard Tyus Jones.

"I want to thank Coach K, the entire coaching staff, my teammates and everyone involved with the Duke program for giving me this opportunity," Hood said in an announcement on Duke's website. "Playing at Duke was a lifelong dream. Everything I experienced here has helped me grow and develop as a player and as a person. The fan support during the year I sat out and the year I played was something that I will remember for a lifetime. Now it is time to move on to the next level and chase my dream of becoming an NBA player. Duke played a large part in preparing me for this step and I am looking forward to making the most of it."

While Parker is expected to be taken within the first three selections, Hood could find himself being taken in the late first round or in the second. Other declared players at his position include Kansas' Andrew Wiggins, Kentucky's James Young, UNC's James McAdoo, Creighton's Doug McDermott and Wichita State's Cleanthony Early.

"Rodney had two terrific years here at Duke," Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski said in the announcement. "He was an integral part of our team two years ago because he was such a great practice player and this year he was one of the best players in the country. So consistent and a great young man on and off the court. He will do really well in the NBA and obviously he will always be a part of what we do and we wish him the best."

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