Entering Hec Edmundson Pavilion among a group that included friends, family and coach Lorenzo Romar, Spencer Hawes put to rest the speculation and rumors that have been swirling around Montlake about his future as a Husky.

“After talking to my family, coaches and teammates, I have decided to enter my name into the NBA draft without hiring an agent, to preserve my eligibility,” Hawes said. “I want to test the waters and see what happens. But I am still enrolled in school, and I am not hiring an agent.”

The last part of his statement was perhaps the most encouraging to his teammates, as well as the host of fans he has accumulated during his only season playing for the Washington basketball team.

According to NCAA bylaws, a player is able to maintain an amateur status if he or she does not hire an agent, remains enrolled in school — or returns to school within 30 days of the draft — and withdraws from the draft before a certain date. For Hawes and other NBA hopefuls, that date is June 18.

“The rule was put in place for this reason,” Romar said. “For players aspiring to go to the next level, it’s good to test the market. It gives them a realistic view of their future.”

Romar has been an ever-present figure for Hawes in the decision that he knew awaited his young star.

“This isn’t something that came as a shock to us,” Romar said. “It does not keep us in limbo as a team because it’s something that we knew was inevitable.”

Hawes, who led the Huskies with 14.9 points per game, has not ruled out coming back, but for now is intent on his preparation, something that his uncle, Husky legend Steve Hawes, was adamant about.

“All he told me was that ‘you have to be as prepared as possible,’” Hawes said. “For now I’ve been getting ready on my own, because I want to prepare myself as best as possible for the upcoming workouts.”

Reach reporter Justin Chartrey at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.