By
Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Sophomore point guard enters draft without agent
The exodus of UA basketball players continued yesterday when a Wildcat sophomore guard announced his intentions to enter the NBA Draft.
It wasn't Gilbert Arenas, who many still speculate will leave within days. It was his roommate, 5-foot-10 point guard Jason Gardner.
"After talking with my family and coaches, I have decided to enter my name in the 2001 NBA Draft and chase my dream of playing professional basketball," Gardner said in a press release. "I have done a lot of research and talked to many people involved in the NBA, and I feel that this is the best time to enter the draft."
Gardner, who averaged 11.7 points and 4.4 assists during his two years as UA's starting point guard, said he will not employ an agent, leaving the door open to a possible return to the Arizona program if he is unhappy with his prospects.
"I will not sign with an agent and plan to follow all rules and guidelines set by the NCAA to retain my eligibility if I do not like my standing in the draft," Gardner said. "The University of Arizona has been wonderful to my family and me, and that is why I will not close the door on my eligibility."
UA undergraduate assistant coach Josh Pastner said yesterday the Wildcat coaching staff fully expects Gardner's return to the program next season.
"We knew it was in the works for a couple of days, so it wasn't an ultimate surprise," he said. "(Gardner's) going to test the waters, but we expect him to be back. We hope he'll come back, but everything's fine if you want to go test the waters."
The point guard joins Notre Dame forward Troy Murphy, who announced Tuesday he will not employ an agent in case he decides to return to school. Last season, UCLA forward Jason Kapono made himself eligible for the draft only to return to campus.
In order to preserve his amateur status, Gardner must assume financial responsibility for all expenses while he is being scouted. Junior forwards Michael Wright and Richard Jefferson - who made themselves eligible for the draft in the past four days - are expected to retain agents.
Gardner has until June 20 to remove his name from the list of players eligible for the draft. If he chooses to do so, he would be eligible to play for UA next season.
Pastner said the NBA could provide challenges to Gardner, who, at 5-foot-10, would have to guard some of the world's best athletes.
"The NBA is the highest level of all levels," he said. "One night, (Gardner will face Seattle SuperSonics guard) Gary Payton, the next night it's (Portland Trailblazers guard) Damon Stoudamire, the next night it's (Philadelphia 76ers guard) Allen Iverson, then it's (Houston Rockets guard) Steve Francis, then it's (New Jersey Nets guard) Stephon Marbury. It's going to be very, very difficult.
"Another year (at UA) would benefit him, obviously."
Athletic Director Jim Livengood said Tuesday he often worries that players who leave early might be taking a risk they haven't thought out.
"There are only so many NBA teams and so many roster spots," he said. "Every player thinks he's going to be the one to make the difference. You're not giving up anything if you stay in school.
"Every (extra) year that you're in school, other things can happen. It scares me that we might have come to the end of seeing very many players become seniors."
Pastner said Gardner may have decided to turn professional for fear he would be left as the team's lone remaining offensive option.
"Maybe that could be said," Pastner said. "Maybe he didn't want to be here by himself. Maybe he didn't want to test things (next season)."
Pastner, who played alongside current Vancouver Grizzlies guard Mike Bibby and Atlanta Hawks guard Jason Terry, said Gardner is as good as either player.
"He rates as good as anybody," Pastner said. "It was just a situation when we went deep in the tournament and guys thought it would be the right time. It's most surprising because most people thought that he'd come back."
