Randolph puts name on draft list
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But freshman leaves open chance of return
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Anthony Randolph made his departure from the LSU men's basketball program official Tuesday, but also seemed to leave the door open just a crack.
The 6-foot-10, 205-pound freshman forward said he will enter his name for the 2008 NBA draft, apparently ending his Tiger career after one season.
Randolph said "there (is) not a better time to enter the draft."
"I believe I am ready," he said at a brief press conference, to which he showed up 43 minutes late.
Interim LSU coach Butch Pierre said he thought Randolph was making a good decision.
"I told him when I recruited him that if he came to LSU and stayed longer than two years, that was his fault," Pierre said.
Randolph averaged 15.6 points and a team-best 8.5 rebounds a game for the 13-18 Tigers and led the team with 70 blocked shots. He was the top freshman in the Southeastern Conference in rebounding and blocks and recorded nine double-doubles and nine games with 20 points or more.
His NBA stock rocketed in the last third of the season after LSU fired John Brady on Feb. 7. In the final nine games, Randolph averaged 20.1 points and seemed to be more assertive on the offensive end.
Although Tuesday's announcement began with an air of finality, Randolph said he has not signed with an agent, although he and his family and advisors have spoken to several. More intriguing, Randolph said he didn't plan on signing with an agent right away and said he hasn't completely shut the door on returning.
College players have the option of testing the NBA draft waters without forfeiting their eligibility if they do not hire an agent. Former LSU star Brandon Bass did so following his freshman season.
Randolph has until April 27 to declare for the draft and he can withdraw his name from the draft pool up until seven days before the June 26 event.
In most mock drafts on Web sites, Randolph is pegged as a first-round pick, as high as No, 5 on ESPN.com and in the 10-15 range on several others. However, with the 2008 season completed Monday night, a wave of current collegians and foreign players are expected to declare.
That domino effect began earlier this week when Indiana point guard Eric Gordon joined other notable college players -- Jerryd Bayless from Arizona and Robin and Brooke Lopez of Stanford. Kansas junior Brandon Rush will apparently do the same.
The 6-foot-10, 205-pound freshman forward said he will enter his name for the 2008 NBA draft, apparently ending his Tiger career after one season.
Randolph said "there (is) not a better time to enter the draft."
"I believe I am ready," he said at a brief press conference, to which he showed up 43 minutes late.
Interim LSU coach Butch Pierre said he thought Randolph was making a good decision.
"I told him when I recruited him that if he came to LSU and stayed longer than two years, that was his fault," Pierre said.
Randolph averaged 15.6 points and a team-best 8.5 rebounds a game for the 13-18 Tigers and led the team with 70 blocked shots. He was the top freshman in the Southeastern Conference in rebounding and blocks and recorded nine double-doubles and nine games with 20 points or more.
His NBA stock rocketed in the last third of the season after LSU fired John Brady on Feb. 7. In the final nine games, Randolph averaged 20.1 points and seemed to be more assertive on the offensive end.
Although Tuesday's announcement began with an air of finality, Randolph said he has not signed with an agent, although he and his family and advisors have spoken to several. More intriguing, Randolph said he didn't plan on signing with an agent right away and said he hasn't completely shut the door on returning.
College players have the option of testing the NBA draft waters without forfeiting their eligibility if they do not hire an agent. Former LSU star Brandon Bass did so following his freshman season.
Randolph has until April 27 to declare for the draft and he can withdraw his name from the draft pool up until seven days before the June 26 event.
In most mock drafts on Web sites, Randolph is pegged as a first-round pick, as high as No, 5 on ESPN.com and in the 10-15 range on several others. However, with the 2008 season completed Monday night, a wave of current collegians and foreign players are expected to declare.
That domino effect began earlier this week when Indiana point guard Eric Gordon joined other notable college players -- Jerryd Bayless from Arizona and Robin and Brooke Lopez of Stanford. Kansas junior Brandon Rush will apparently do the same.
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