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(LaMarcus) Aldridge, projected by some NBA scouts as a top-three pick if he enters the draft this year, wasn't sure what to say as waves of reporters arrived at his locker soon after the game. "I'm not trying to be rude, but I'm not getting into it," Aldridge said. "We just lost." But he also said, "As far as I know, I'm coming back." Much later, when Barnes left him, Aldridge cried."
"
The NBA deadline for players to enter the draft is April 29. They have until June 18 to remove their names. The draft is on June. 28. The No. 1 pick will receive a $7.75 million guarantee for two seasons. The No. 3 pick gets more than $6 million."
But two other starters, junior
P.J. Tucker and sophomore Daniel Gibson, said they will return next season rather than enter the draft. Both are on the NBA radar screen with the opportunity to elevate their draft status next season if they do, indeed, return to college."
At least one of Florida's key players will be back next season.
Al Horford's father, Tito, said Sunday night that his son definitely will return to Gainesville for his junior season. "He's having too good of a time," Tito Horford said. "He's not ready to even think about leaving right now. "I promise he will be back no matter what happens in Indianapolis [at the Final Four]."
"Meanwhile, Bobcats general manager and coach
Bernie Bickerstaff is saying that with an abundance of big men, the team will look for a scorer with their No. 1 pick, which should be in the top five. Would they be interested in Gordon, a former No. 3 overall pick, giving the Bulls still another No. 1 to parlay into a big deal?"
"
Though (Glen) Davis is just a sophomore and (Tyrus) Thomas a freshman, both players might have played their way into consideration for the first round of the NBA draft in what many consider a weak class. While Davis is a 6-9, 310-pound behemoth, the 6-9, 215-pound Thomas -- named the most outstanding player of the regional -- has one of the most impressive vertical leaps in the game. He used that leaping ability for a combined eight blocked shots and 10 backdoor alley-oop dunks, cracking the zone defenses that exposed the Tigers' lack of perimeter effectiveness."
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(Glen) Davis said he's having too much fun playing in college to think about the pros. And Thomas said: "I'm not worried about the NBA right now. It's about the Final Four.''
"Calhoun has said that Gay probably needs another season in college but doesn't expect it to happen.
NBA scouts continue to say Gay will be selected with one of the first five picks if he enters the draft, which would almost certainly force his hand. "That's a ways away," Gay said. "We just lost, not even an hour ago. We're still feeling that. In the future, whatever happens, happens."
