USC’s Dewayne Dedmon to leave school early for pros

This post has been corrected. See below.

Dewayne Dedmon, a 7-foot center from Lancaster who had one year of eligibility left at USC, decided Wednesday to declare for the NBA draft.

In a quote released by USC, Dedmon said, “It’s just my time to chase my dream and go to the NBA. I had a great time at USC and it was a good experience. I had some ups and downs and learned a lot and believe it is best for me to turn professional at this time. I wish USC, [new Coach] Andy Enfield and all my teammates all the best moving forward.”

Dedmon and senior James Blasczyk were suspended for USC’s final game — a loss to Utah in the opening round of the Pac-12 Conference tournament — after an incident that took place during the Trojans’ final regular-season road trip in Spokane, Wash.

Dedmon averaged 6.7 points and 7.0 rebounds last season while starting 29 of 31 games. He averaged 7.6 points and 5.5 rebounds the season before. He redshirted in 2010-2011 after playing one year at Antelope Valley College.

Enfield, who is out of town recruiting, did not immediately respond to Dedmon’s decision.

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For the record: An earlier version of this report said that Dewayne Dedmon and James Blasczyk were charged with second-degree assault for an incident that took place in Spokane, Wash. Neither police nor USC have identified them as players involved in the incident. Police have requested that the county prosecutor charge two USC players but they have not been arrested or charged.