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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida center Marreese Speights has decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility and enter the NBA draft.

Speights also said Tuesday he will not hire an agent, keeping open the possibility of returning to school for his junior season.

“Marreese has informed me that he would like to explore his future options in the NBA,” Gators coach Billy Donovan said in a statement. “I will do whatever I can to help Marreese gather all necessary information to make an educated decision.”

Speights averaged 14.5 points and a team-leading 8.1 rebounds this season, showing touch around the basket and a consistent jumper that could make him a first-round draft pick. He also had some glaring weaknesses, most notably his lack of stamina, his penchant for committing silly fouls and his failure to play defense all the time.

He was at his best down the stretch, scoring in double figures in each of Florida’s final 12 games and grabbing double-digit rebounds five times over that span.

Speights’ departure will leave the Gators even more depleted inside, where they struggled most of the season. It will, however, alleviate Donovan’s problem of needing one more scholarship for the five players coming in next season.

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