UT Junior, PJ Tucker to declare for the draft

[Solid D]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ory?id=2419947

Updated: April 24, 2006, 2:44 PM ET
Texas' Tucker to enter NBA draftBy Pat Forde
ESPN.com

Texas junior forward P.J. Tucker will announce later Monday that he is putting his name in the NBA draft, but will not hire an agent, ESPN.com has learned.

Tucker led the Longhorns in scoring (16.1 points per game) and rebounding (9.5). Despite that productivity and improving his overall versatility, the 6-foot-5 inside player is considered a tweener by NBA standards.

Tucker's teammate, 7-foot sop re LaMarcus Aldridge, already has declared for the draft and is considered a prime lottery candidate. Sop re guard Daniel Gibson said at the Texas team banquet he planned to return to school.

However, Gibson's father told the Austin American-Statesman that Gibson was likely to submit his name for the draft as well. Like Tucker, Gibson also planned to keep his college eligibility while testing his draft status, Byron Gibson said.

If either or both interior players return to Austin, Texas will be considered a legitimate 2007 national le candidate. They'd be joined by 2005-06 reserves A.J. Abrams and Mike Williams and another strong Rick Barnes recruiting class, highlighted by McDonald's All-American Kevin Durant.

Texas finished the season 30-7, losing in the Atlanta Region final to LSU.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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[chode_regulator]

im not surprised
its almost a prerequisite for every ut player who is good to say he is going to stay and then a short tiem later declare for the draft
so much for a final four run if aldridge, tucker and now possible even gibson all leave