Post by John on Apr 25, 2006 12:02:57 GMT -4
Tucker to follow teammate Aldridge into draft, won't hire agent
April 24, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas junior forward P.J. Tucker, the Big 12 Player of the Year, said Monday he will submit his name for the NBA Draft but won't hire an agent in order to keep his college eligibility.
"I believe the best thing for me at this time is to test the waters and see where I stand," Tucker said.
Tucker's decision allows him to return to college for his senior season if he doesn't like his draft position. He has until June 18 to pull his name out of the draft, which is June 28.
The burly 6-foot-5 Tucker led the Longhorns in scoring and rebounding, averaging 16.1 and 9.5 rebounds per game as Texas won a school-record 30 games and reached the Atlanta Region final of the NCAA Tournament before losing to LSU.
In a statement released by the school, Longhorns coach Rick Barnes said his has "no problem" with Tucker's decision.
"This is a good rule put in place for players to explore their draft position," Barnes said.
If Tucker goes to the NBA, he'll be at least the second Longhorn to leave school early this year. Sophomore forward LaMarcus Aldridge has declared for the draft and is hiring an agent, which will make him ineligible to return.
Sophomore point guard Daniel Gibson also is considering whether to put his name in the draft. Although Gibson said at the team banquet April 10 that he would return, his father, Byron Gibson, has said his son will likely submit his name for the draft but would not sign with an agent.
Tucker and Gibson are sitting on decisions that could have a huge impact on the program.
If they return, Texas will be among the favorites to win the Big 12 championship. If they both leave, Texas enters next season without a single starter from a squad that won a share of the league crown for the first time since 1999.
"Whatever happens, I'm looking at two pretty good choices," Tucker said.
Asked if he believed he could be a first-round pick, Tucker said he didn't know.
"A lot of different things could happen," he said. "It's just keeping all your options open. It's so early, you just don't know."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
April 24, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas junior forward P.J. Tucker, the Big 12 Player of the Year, said Monday he will submit his name for the NBA Draft but won't hire an agent in order to keep his college eligibility.
"I believe the best thing for me at this time is to test the waters and see where I stand," Tucker said.
Tucker's decision allows him to return to college for his senior season if he doesn't like his draft position. He has until June 18 to pull his name out of the draft, which is June 28.
The burly 6-foot-5 Tucker led the Longhorns in scoring and rebounding, averaging 16.1 and 9.5 rebounds per game as Texas won a school-record 30 games and reached the Atlanta Region final of the NCAA Tournament before losing to LSU.
In a statement released by the school, Longhorns coach Rick Barnes said his has "no problem" with Tucker's decision.
"This is a good rule put in place for players to explore their draft position," Barnes said.
If Tucker goes to the NBA, he'll be at least the second Longhorn to leave school early this year. Sophomore forward LaMarcus Aldridge has declared for the draft and is hiring an agent, which will make him ineligible to return.
Sophomore point guard Daniel Gibson also is considering whether to put his name in the draft. Although Gibson said at the team banquet April 10 that he would return, his father, Byron Gibson, has said his son will likely submit his name for the draft but would not sign with an agent.
Tucker and Gibson are sitting on decisions that could have a huge impact on the program.
If they return, Texas will be among the favorites to win the Big 12 championship. If they both leave, Texas enters next season without a single starter from a squad that won a share of the league crown for the first time since 1999.
"Whatever happens, I'm looking at two pretty good choices," Tucker said.
Asked if he believed he could be a first-round pick, Tucker said he didn't know.
"A lot of different things could happen," he said. "It's just keeping all your options open. It's so early, you just don't know."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service