So, hey, Steven Adams says that NBA Draft Lottery looks good.

After insisting that he would return for his sophomore season at Pitt, Steven Adams is declaring for the NBA Draft and will sign with an agent, thereby forfeiting his final three seasons of eligibility.

The 7-foot center from New Zealand announced his intentions Tuesday night in a statement released by Pitt’s athletic department. A Pitt spokesman said that Adams is out of the country.

“In discussing options with my family and Coach Dixon, I feel that it is in my best interest to declare for the NBA Draft,” Adams said. “I want to thank everyone at Pitt, including my teammates, coaching staff, the administration and the fans who have all supported me over the last year.”

I’ll never, ever begrudge a kid for turning pro. Especially when he is a potential lottery pick. Yes, he could have come back. Potentially improved and been a top-5 pick. Thus upping the potential earning potential. But he is already a top-20 pick. Likely top-14, lottery. This is a weak draft. Especially for centers.

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This seems like a move born out of desperation by Trey Zeigler, than anything else.

The 6-foot-5, 203-pound Zeigler averaged 4.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 31 games this season for Pitt after transferring from Central Michigan. Zeigler’s father, Ernie, a former Pitt assistant, had been fired from Central Michigan following the 2011-12 season. Zeigler was granted a special waiver from the NCAA and was immediately eligible at Pitt.

“We will assist Trey in finding the best situation for him to reach his goals both academically and athletically,” Dixon said. “He’s a great kid, hard worker and good player. We thank Trey for his contribution to our program over the last year and wish him much success in the future.”

I’ve said it a few times, but the worst thing for Zeigler was getting that immediate waiver to play. He didn’t have time to get familiar with the style of Pitt’s offense. Spend a year practicing against his teammates. He tried so hard to fit in on the fly that he was too deferential, tentative and stayed on the perimeter. Rather than utilizing his ability to attack the basket. He needed to be a little more selfish and drive to the basket.

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This is Coach Paul Chryst’s entire statement.

“Rushel and I met on Tuesday morning and he informed me of his final decision to transfer. I wish him only the best moving forward. Out of respect for Rushel, his family and his privacy, this will be my final comment on the matter.”

Just a little editing and he probably could have gotten that out in a single tweet.

Shell is supposed to meet with Pitt coaches and members of the athletic department to discuss his potential transfer destinations. All the noise is that Shell wants to go out West to the Pac-12.

My guess is that the extent of the restrictions on Shell’s transfer by Pitt will be limited to Arizona State and the ACC (including Notre Dame). Otherwise I see no reason to limit his choices.

I don’t exactly wish him well, but I’m not going to hate him. He’s made his choice. He will likely say some more stupid stuff in the next year — I mean beyond foolishly getting into it on Twitter with Mark Madden. Otherwise, I will not have much to say on the kid after he chooses his destination.

Shell’s burned a lot of bridges locally with this drama. He’s now put himself in a position where he has no choice but to work harder than ever to build a life for himself (and hopefully his children). There’s going to be a lot less support around him, and plenty waiting to see him fail. Who knows if he can meet that challenge.