WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. ? All-America point guard Chris Paul will give up his final two years of eligibility at Wake Forest and enter the NBA Draft.

He made the announcement Thursday at a news conference on campus, with nearly all his teammates and about 30 family members and friends in attendance.

“I just got this feeling maybe a couple of days ago, that this was what I wanted to do,” Paul said. “This is all still so surreal. I have no idea that I would even be in this situation at the end of my sophomore year. I always thought I would play four years, and then, God willing, I would have an opportunity to play in the NBA.”

As a sophomore, Paul was the leading vote-getter on The Associated Press preseason All-America team, and he was named to the first team after the season. He averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 assists for the Demon Deacons (27-6), who set a school record for victories.

Wake Forest also was ranked No. 1 for two weeks early in the year, the first time that’s happened. Paul plans to sign with an agent soon, which would make his departure is final.

“It was Chris’ decision, and as he said, I think it’s an irrevocable decision,” coach Skip Prosser said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily a financial decision. I think it’s a decision based on challenges.”

Paul’s image was harmed by when, in the final game of the regular season, he intentionally punched North Carolina State’s Julius Hodge in the groin. Paul was suspended for one game and Wake Forest lost to the Wolfpack in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.