Flynn officially signs with agent

Niagara Falls, NY - Syracuse basketball standout Jonny Flynn has made it official--he's headed to the NBA next year.

The Niagara Falls native signed papers in a law office in his hometown Wednesday morning, officially committing to agent Leon Rose. The signing ended more than a week of consideration by the Orange basketball star.  He left for Syracuse later on Wednesday, and was unavailable when WIVB attempted to contact him.

Flynn, however, did talk about his decision in an interview with The Orange Segment blog in Syracuse.

"It really was hard to leave Syracuse, the city I've grown to love and fans I've grown to love but at the end of the day I had to do what was best for me and my family and what you feel is best in your heart," Flynn said.

Two weeks ago, WIVB reported that Flynn had decided to put his name in consideration for the NBA draft, but that he would not sign with an agent.  That would have preserved his NCAA eligibility and he could have returned to Syracuse.

In the meantime, however, Flynn was in contact with NBA star Lebron James, who reportedly was encouraging him to sign with Leon Rose, James' agent.  Sources tell us Flynn watched the April 6th NCAA Championship game with James in Cleveland.  He also reportedly has been promised that Rose would arrange a shoe endorsement contract for him after he was drafted.

NBA scouts tell WIVB that Flynn would most likely be picked from the 15th to the 26th spot in the first round of the June 26th draft.  His draft position could improve pending workout camps before the draft.