Bill Cole of the Winston Salem-Journal reports: Mike Dunleavy, a junior forward at Duke, has decided to place his name into the NBA college draft, a source at Duke said this afternoon.

The official announcement by Duke officials could come later today or on Friday. The deadline for entering the draft is May 12.

Dunleavy, 6-9, will enter the draft conditionally, the source said. He will not hire an agent and will withdraw his name if his draft position is not appealing.

He will go through draft camps so NBA personnel can evaluate his ability and place in the draft order. Some NBA scouts like Dunleavy?s versatility and believe he could be a lottery pick, depending on a team?s needs. Other scouts believe he could use strength and weight for a still lean body to play inside in the NBA.

Dunleavy has been wrestling with staying at Duke or leaving since the end of the college season. He said at first that he would definitely return and Coach Mike Krzyzewski, assured of his presence, named him a captain for next season.

Two of Dunleavy?s classmates are leaving, however: Jason Williams, a guard, and Carlos Boozer, a center who will probably play forward in the NBA. He started for the last two seasons with them and was a key reserve as a freshman.

Dunleavy averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists in helping Duke finish 31-4 and reach the semifinals of the NCAA South Regional in which it lost to Indiana. He was a starter in the 2001 season on Duke?s NCAA championship team and hit three 3-point shots in the second half that keyed the championship game win over Arizona.

Dunleavy gave a small indication after the loss to Indiana that he would consider leaving for the NBA. When asked if were returning, he said that he would talk matters over with his father, Mike Sr., a former NBA coach, and make a decision. Before, when asked if he would be back, he always quickly said he would return.

He will be the sixth Duke player to file for early entry. The others, who left after the 1999 season, are Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and William Avery.