Provo, UT -- (Sports Network) - BYU junior big man Trent Plaisted announced Friday he has decided to sign with an agent, assuring he will not return to the school for his final year of eligibility.

Plaisted declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft in April but did not hire an agent maintaining his collegiate eligibility.

"I have decided to hire Mark Bartelstein with Priority Sports as my agent and begin a professional career at this time," Plaisted said. "Obviously, getting my degree is very important to me, and I've made plans to complete the few remaining requirements. I really enjoyed playing at BYU and appreciate all that Coach Rose and the coaching staff have done for me. I know they will continue to be very successful."

Plaisted, a forward/center at 6-foot-11, was a first-team All-Mountain West selection this past season after averaging 15.6 points and a team-best 7.7 rebounds per game. He helped the Cougars win their second straight outright MWC regular-season title and earn a second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.

The San Antonio native ranks 14th all-time on the Cougars' scoring list with 1,372 points and is on target to graduate in August. He has averaged 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in three seasons, finishing as a three-time All-MWC player and MWC Freshman of the Year in 2006.