Post by John on Apr 28, 2006 11:38:10 GMT -4
South Carolina's Balkman declares for NBA Draft
April 27, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina forward Renaldo Balkman declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft Thursday, though he has not hired an agent.
The 6-foot-8 junior hopes his performance in the NIT, where he was the MVP as the Gamecocks won their second consecutive championship, opened the eyes of NBA personnel.
However, since Balkman hasn't hired an agent, he can still withdraw from the draft and return for his final season with the Gamecocks.
Balkman averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds this past season, though he played very well at the end of the season. He had three games with double-figure points and rebounds as lightly regarded South Carolina reached the finals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament and then won the NIT.
Gamecocks coach Dave Odom said Balkman was told by an NBA advisory committee that he could go somewhere in the middle of the second round or after.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
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Arkansas' Brewer enters draft minus agent
April 27, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas junior Ronnie Brewer said Thursday he would make himself available for the NBA Draft, but has not hired an agent in case he wants to return to school and play another year for the Razorbacks.
"I just want to test the market to see where I can go," Brewer said in a news conference at Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas coach Stan Heath said an NCAA rule that allows athletes to test their professional potential without making the plunge was made for players like Brewer, who led the Southeastern Conference in scoring last year and who could be a potential first-round pick.
"We will support him and he knows that," Heath said. "We will make sure that he continues to work hard."
By not hiring an agent, Brewer can be assessed by NBA teams and still return to college ball.
Brewer, a guard-forward, averaged 18.4 points per game last season. Brewer's father, Ron Brewer, helped Arkansas to the 1978 Final Four and was drafted seventh, by Portland, in the first round of the 1978 NBA Draft.
This season, the Razorbacks lost to Bucknell 59-55 in the first round of the NCAAs after qualifying for the first time since 2001. The team already must replace senior Jonathon Modica, who averaged 16.1 points per game.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
April 27, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina forward Renaldo Balkman declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft Thursday, though he has not hired an agent.
The 6-foot-8 junior hopes his performance in the NIT, where he was the MVP as the Gamecocks won their second consecutive championship, opened the eyes of NBA personnel.
However, since Balkman hasn't hired an agent, he can still withdraw from the draft and return for his final season with the Gamecocks.
Balkman averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds this past season, though he played very well at the end of the season. He had three games with double-figure points and rebounds as lightly regarded South Carolina reached the finals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament and then won the NIT.
Gamecocks coach Dave Odom said Balkman was told by an NBA advisory committee that he could go somewhere in the middle of the second round or after.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arkansas' Brewer enters draft minus agent
April 27, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas junior Ronnie Brewer said Thursday he would make himself available for the NBA Draft, but has not hired an agent in case he wants to return to school and play another year for the Razorbacks.
"I just want to test the market to see where I can go," Brewer said in a news conference at Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas coach Stan Heath said an NCAA rule that allows athletes to test their professional potential without making the plunge was made for players like Brewer, who led the Southeastern Conference in scoring last year and who could be a potential first-round pick.
"We will support him and he knows that," Heath said. "We will make sure that he continues to work hard."
By not hiring an agent, Brewer can be assessed by NBA teams and still return to college ball.
Brewer, a guard-forward, averaged 18.4 points per game last season. Brewer's father, Ron Brewer, helped Arkansas to the 1978 Final Four and was drafted seventh, by Portland, in the first round of the 1978 NBA Draft.
This season, the Razorbacks lost to Bucknell 59-55 in the first round of the NCAAs after qualifying for the first time since 2001. The team already must replace senior Jonathon Modica, who averaged 16.1 points per game.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service