Apr 22, 2014 04:32 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

K.J. McDaniels, a junior forward for the Clemson Tigers, has decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the NBA Draft.

According to the Associated Press, McDaniels made his announcement Tuesday. The six-foot-six junior led the Tigers in points, rebounds, blocks and steals.

Thanks to a draft class loaded with talented guard/forward hybrids, many experts project McDaniels as a mid-to-late first round selection. ESPN's latest NBA mock draft predicts McDaniels will go 22nd overall to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The draft will be held June 26.

"I'm thankful for the opportunity these past three seasons to grow as a player and person at Clemson," McDaniels said in a news release on the team's website. "None of this would have been possible without the guidance and support of my coaches, teammates and family. This was not an easy decision, but I am excited to take the next step toward fulfilling my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA."

McDaniels averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks per game last season, but he is likely to barely be within the first 10 guard/forwards selected in the first round. In today's NBA, teams are valuing players big enough to play small forward, but athletic enough to play shooting guard.

"I want to thank K.J. for his contributions to our basketball program these last three seasons," said Head Coach Brad Brownell. "K.J. is a hard-working, humble young man who always put team first. He has had a tremendous impact on our program and improved as much as any player I've ever coached. I'm extremely proud of his development and excited for his future at the next level."

McDaniels joins Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, James Young, Doug McDermott, Nick Stauskas, Cleanthony Early and more to make for a deeply athletic and talented draft class.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit