The 6-foot-9 Scott will preserve the option of returning to South Bend for his fifth season by not signing with an agent.
“I declared last week, but I’m not going to sign an agent,” Scott said. “We’re just going to see how the process works out and go from there.”
Scott, who averaged 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last season, approached Irish head coach Mike Brey about the possibility before declaring.
“I think he knew before I even said anything,” Scott said. “As soon as I walked in, he said, ‘You’re thinking about testing the waters.’ I said, ‘If that’s OK with you.’ He said, ‘Yeah, that’s fine.’ He said he’d do whatever he could to help me out.”
Brey gave Scott his blessing because the forward really has nothing to lose.
“I think it’s an official way to get feedback on status,” Brey said. “It opens up the channels to officially be able to get the feedback instead of trying to do it, if he doesn’t put his name out there, through an agent and through a third party.”
Scott will have until May 8th to withdraw his name if he wants to return to Notre Dame.
“Do it, explore it,” Brey said. “Been there, done that. I’ve gone through this before.”
Luke Harangody did the same thing following the 2008-09 season before returning for his senior year. Scott has tried to reach Harangody for his advice on the process, but hasn’t been able to catch up with the Cleveland Cavalier forward yet.
Brey said the rules are better now than when Harangody tested the waters because NBA teams are now allowed the fly prospects in for work outs.
“They’ve made it more user-friendly for these guys,” said Brey. “He’s been very level-headed. I think he’s been back and forth.”
Scott still considers himself a member of the Irish and although he doesn’t have any pro workouts set up yet, he will participate in Notre Dame’s workout on Thursday.
“I’m still part of the team,” he said. “I haven’t made any final decisions yet.”
