Mitchell mulls NBA draft

• By GARY LANEY
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Apr 8, 2009 - Page: 2C

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With the college basketball season officially over, a couple of Southeastern Conference players declared that they would leave school early to test the NBA waters Tuesday.

One of those players was not LSU’s Tasmin Mitchell despite an Internet report that said he would test the professional waters.

Mitchell said Tuesday that he still has not decided on whether to return for his senior year or leave a year early for the draft.

“I’m still weighing my options,” said the 6-foot-7, 235-pound Mitchell.

While Mitchell is still mulling, SEC stars Jodie Meeks of Kentucky and Devan Downey of South Carolina said Tuesday that they would explore the draft waters. Also, LSU senior Chris Johnson is participating this week at the Portsmouth Invitational, a showcase for the nation’s top 64 senior prospects.

Jonathan Givony of the Web site NBA Draft Express reported Monday that Mitchell “will announce shortly that he’s entering his name in the draft,” the blog read. “Mitchell is not expected to hire an agent at this time and could very well return to LSU next season.”

When asked if the report was accurate, Mitchell said “I haven’t said that.”

As a junior, Mitchell was an all-SEC first-teamer after he averaged 16.3 points and 7.2 rebounds, while playing as an undersized power forward. Tigers coach Trent Johnson has said Mitchell would move to small forward this year, a more likely pro position for Mitchell.

Mitchell, one of two starters slated to return off LSU’s SEC championship team, said the decision won’t be an easy one.

“It’s been very difficult,” he said. “I’m still trying to get all the information I can.”

Neither Meeks nor Downey hired an agent, which means they have until June 15 to change their minds. In the meantime, they can workout for NBA teams and receive advice about their draft standing.

Meeks, a 6-4 shooting guard, was the SEC’s leading scorer last season, averaging 23.7 points per game, eighth in the country. Downey, who stands just 5-9, was still third in the SEC in both scoring (19.8 points per game) and assists (4.5 a game).

Meeks is generally considered the second best underclassman prospect on his team behind power forward Patrick Patterson, who has not declared whether or not he’ll come back.