Aaron Gray, a 7-foot, 270-pound junior from Pittsburgh, has decided that he will enter the NBA Draft process, but won't hire an agent.

Gray has a chance to vault into the first round with a strong month of workouts, this according to one prominent NBA scout.

"This year, like most other years, there are very few quality centers available," said the scout, a 20-year NBA veteran. "For a player like Gray, who has reached a certain level ... he was dominant at times in the Big East. At other times he wasn't. But at times he was the best player on the floor in Big East games. That's something people are looking for."

Renaldo Balkman, forward from South Carolina, declared himself eligible for the NBA draft Thursday, though he has not hired an agent.

Balkman averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds this past season,  but came on strong later in the year.

An NBA advisory committee, according to coach Dave Odom, said that he could go somewhere in the middle of the second round or after.

Sophomore guard Kyle Lowry of Villanova announced today that he will enter his name as a candidate for the 2006 NBA Draft.

Like so many fellow underclassmen, Lowry will not hire an agent and retains the option to return to Villanova for his junior season of 2006-07.  Because of his decision to declare though, he will have just one more season of college
eligibility.

"This has been a very difficult process for Kyle and I'm proud of the way he has handled it," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "Kyle is fulfilling all of his academic responsibilities, working hard with the team, and is very cognizant of the NCAA eligibility issues as they pertain to this process."

Duke freshman Josh McRoberts has decided to return to school.  He was believed to be a first round pick in the NBA Draft this June.

Connecticut point guard Marcus Williams said Tuesday he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the NBA draft.

The six-foot-three Williams is considered one of the nation's top playmakers. He appeared in 70 games at UConn, starting 51 and averaging nine points and 7.3 assists.

Williams is the third underclassman to announce he will leave UConn early this year, joining junior forward Josh Boone and sophomore swingman Rudy Gay. Boone is the only one of the three who has said he won't hire an agent, allowing him to possibly return to school next season. He has until June 18 to withdraw from the draft.

Shawne Williams plans to make himself eligible for the NBA Draft but will not immediately hire an agent, Williams? grandfather told The Commercial Appeal today.

"He?s torn on the decision because he enjoys school, but the (financial) needs overshadow everything else," said Leon Williams, who helped raise Shawne. "The time is right if he can get the money and get a good contract."

Memphis Sophomore Point Guard Darius Washington told DraftExpress columnist Mike Schmidt that he will be entering his name in the 2006 NBA draft.

Washington told us recently that should he enter the draft, it would be "for good".

Washington is yet another in a long line of underclassmen considered bubble first rounders to enter their name in this year's draft. As of today, 40 underclassmen have already entered their names in, with many more still expected.  In 2004, only 31 underclassmen entered the draft. In 2005, 49 entered. In both years, the number of marginal junior prospects from low-major schools looking solely for attention was considerably higher, though.

O.J. Mayo, the 6'4" point guard from Ohio is considering transferring to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., for his senior year and he may become the first major talent to skip college despite the NBA's new policy concerning high school players.  The NBA Development League reduced its minimum age requirement to 18 years, which would allow Mayo to play there before entering the draft.

When asked Sunday if he planned to go to college, Mayo said, "I don't know."

"Right now, I'm trying to concentrate on spring and summer and then concentrate on my senior year of high school," he said.

George Washington junior guards Danilo Pinnock and Carl Elliott have entered their names into the NBA draft. They could still return for their senior seasons, as neither has hired an agent.

Pinnock averaged 14-point-5 points, 5-point-3 rebounds, and 2-point-5 steals per game for the Colonials, who finished the season 27-and-3, with a 16-and-0 record in the Atlantic 10.

Texas basketball players P.J. Tucker and Daniel Gibson are expected to announce in the next 48 hours their intention to enter their names for the June NBA draft without hiring agents.

LaMarcus Aldridge has already declared for the draft as well.