Texas Tech junior Andre Emmett has declared himself eligible for June's NBA draft but will leave the door open for a possible return to school, a close family friend said Thursday.

Emmett, a Carter product, could not be reached for comment. Through a spokesman, Tech coach Bob Knight said: "This is Andre's decision." Monday is the NBA's deadline for underclassmen to declare for the June 26 draft.

Rob Wright, the Carter boys coach who has known Emmett since the player was in fifth grade, said Emmett wants to test his status because the draft is like a "free trial" for those with eligibility left.