Leading scorer Demetrius Jackson leaving Notre Dame for NBA draft

Notre Dame point guard Demetrius Jackson is declaring for the NBA draft, he said in an Instagram post.

Jackson, a junior, led the Fighting Irish in scoring (15.8) and was second in the ACC in assists (4.7).

University spokesman Alan Wasielewski said Jackson is expected to sign with an agent, which would mean he couldn't revoke his decision and return to Notre Dame. Jackson has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday.

Jackson is No. 16 on ESPN Insider Chad Ford's Big Board. A second-team All-ACC selection this season, Jackson started each of the past two seasons for Notre Dame, which ended both campaigns in the Elite Eight. The Irish won the 2015 ACC tournament as well.

Jackson was ESPN's No. 24 overall player from the Class of 2013 and played in the McDonald's All-American Game.

He scored a game-high 26 points Sunday in his college finale, an 88-74 loss to North Carolina. A native of neighboring Mishawaka, Indiana, he finishes his career with averages of 11.7 points and 3.25 assists.

Irish coach Mike Brey praised Jackson's decision on Twitter.

Jackson is the first Notre Dame player to declare early for the NBA draft since Carleton Scott left as a junior in 2011. Scott went undrafted.

Three others who played for Brey -- forwards Luke Harangody in 2009 and Torin Francis in 2005 and guard Chris Thomas in 2003 -- placed their names in the draft and then withdrew and returned to school. The only other player to declare for the draft under Brey was Troy Murphy in 2001. He was taken with the 14th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors.

The only other players to leave Notre Dame early for the NBA draft were Adrian Dantley in 1976, who was taken with the sixth overall pick by the then-Buffalo Braves, and Gary Brokaw in 1974, who was taken with the 18th pick overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.