March 2009 Basketball Wiretap

Georgetown's Summers Opts To Go Pro

Mar 31, 2009 9:58 AM

Georgetown junior DaJuan Summers will skip his senior year and declare himself eligible for the NBA draft.

Hoyas coach John Thompson III said Monday in a statement that Summers is "in the process of choosing an agent."

Summers averaged 13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds this past season.

"We wish DaJuan all the best in his future endeavors, wherever they may take him," Thompson said. "He informed me that he is closing the book on his college career and focusing fully on the opportunity to play professionally."

ESPN

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Florida G Calathes To Declare For Draft

Mar 31, 2009 9:55 AM

Florida guard Nick Calathes will declare for the NBA draft but will not hire an agent, which will leave him the option of returning to school for his junior year.

Calathes, who averaged 17.2 points, 6.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game this past season, met with Gators coach Billy Donovan on Monday to discuss the situation.

ESPN

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Mullens Declares For Draft

Mar 26, 2009 5:29 PM

B.J. Mullens announced Thursday he would declare himself available for the NBA draft, the fifth Ohio State player in the last three seasons to leave after playing one year.

The Columbus-area native averaged 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds, and shot 64 percent from the field to set a school freshman record.

Coach Thad Matta, who has had to basically rebuild the program each of the last three seasons, said he was disappointed that Mullens was leaving early.

"I am saddened to lose B.J.," Matta said. "On one hand, I feel another year in school would have allowed him to develop into the player I know he can be and an additional season would have been beneficial to him both personally and monetarily in the long run. On the other hand, I am empathetic to the reasons why he has chosen to leave at such an early point in his career."

AP

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Curry On The Fence About Going Pro

Mar 26, 2009 11:34 AM

The decision whether to enter the NBA draft or to return to Davidson for his senior year remains a tossup for Stephen Curry.

"I'm 50 percent in the middle," he said, standing in an empty Belk Arena on Wednesday afternoon. "Every five minutes I'm thinking one way and then I'm thinking the next way. So I'm just playing mind games with myself right now.

"Once I get out of the meetings with my parents and my coaches, then I can give you a better judgment of where I am right now."

Winston-Salem Journal

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Saunders: Aldrich Could Be Top-10 Pick

Mar 23, 2009 5:24 PM

Former NBA coach Flip Saunders is impressed with the play of Kansas big man Cole Aldrich, who he feels could be a top ten pick in June's NBA Draft.

Aldrich has put up performances of 23 points and 13 rebounds (against North Dakota State) and 13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks (against Dayton) through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

"He's going to help somebody," Saunders said. "He's a more than adequate offensive player right now. Defensively, he can really rebound, as you saw in the (Dome) games, and he blocks shots."

Saunders believes that Aldrich, a sophomore, would be off the board rather quickly should be declare for the draft, but success certainly isn't guaranteed.

"It depends where he goes," Flip said. "All kids are going to struggle somewhat, because it's a change. (Sunday against Dayton), he played against guys who are 6-9, 6-10. (In the NBA), you're going to play against guys who are 6-11, 7-feet every night who are skilled, strong and quick.

"He'll be able to play, but it will depend on how much adjustment he makes  early, being able to deal with things. He's a guy who would get some playing time.

"But he's got a chance to be a pretty good player in the league because he's long, strong; offensively, he can score a little bit; he's got really good, soft hands; and he's got great reach."

Pioneer Press

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Cal's Christopher To Test Draft Stock

Mar 20, 2009 1:12 AM

Patrick Christopher, shooting guard for California, said Thursday he is leaning toward testing his NBA draft stock without hiring an agent to maintain the ability to return for his senior season.

"It's my junior year, so it's kind of a free year to do it," the 6-foot-5 All-Pac-10 player said.

Rusty Simmons/San Francisco Chronicle

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Scout: Stephen Curry Still A First-Rounder

Mar 15, 2009 11:06 AM

Davidson junior guard Stephen Curry will likely play in the NIT this month, but one Eastern Conference scout still believes he's a first-round talent.

"I don't think it affects him," the scout said. "He's a guy who went back to school instead of the NBA last year, and if you didn't know him now, you weren't doing your job. People know what he can do. He's a first-round talent and an excellent shooter. At his position, there aren't a lot of bona fide shooters. He'll give himself a chance because he can make shots. People say he's not quick and athletic, but he has a skill."

Curry, the son of former NBA star Dell Curry, has averaged 28.6 points per game this season.

Boston Globe

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