The official announcement of Charlie Villanueva's early departure from the University of Connecticut to the National Basketball Association (NBA) is expected to come this Tuesday afternoon. The Connecticut sophomore is likely to announce that he will make himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft.

Villanueva, a 6-foot-11, 240-pound forward, returned home to New York City over the Easter weekend and talked about the decision with his family. Villanueva felt strong about his decision after having several conversations with Head Coach Calhoun and was seeking his family's blessing over the weekend.

"I was not going to make any decision what so ever without talking it over first with Coach [Jim Calhoun], I have tons of respect for the man and I value his thoughts," Villanueva said. "I knew what I felt in my heart was right, but I just needed to talk it over with Coach and my family".

Calhoun and Villanueva met twice last week and again yesterday afternoon and it was expected that Calhoun would give his blessing for the early departure. Villanueva, who is projected to be a mid-to-late first-round selection, will join Caron Butler as the only UConn players to leave for the NBA after their sophomore seasons; coincidently, they both wore jersey number #3.