Utah center Andrew Bogut will enter the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of eligibility to possibly become the No. 1 choice.
"I have no regrets and full-speed ahead," the 7-footer from Australia said at a news conference yesterday. "My decision is about what is best for my basketball career."
Bogut, the leading receiver of votes on the AP All-America team, averaged 20.4 points and 12.2 rebounds while leading the Utes to a 29-6 season, which ended with a loss to Kentucky in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.
Bogut recorded double-doubles in all but nine games this season and finished with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds 40 times in his Utah career. And at just 20 years old, NBA scouts fixtures at Utah games this season are convinced he can only get better.
ASU forward Ike Diogu also declared for the NBA draft yesterday but did not hire an agent, a move that will allow the 6-foot-8 junior to return to campus if he decides not to go to the next level. Diogu has until June 21 to remove his name from draft consideration.
He won't attend any of the draft camps but will participate in private workouts for interested teams.
Diogu, a second-team All-American and the Pacific 10 Conference's player of the year, led the league in scoring (22.6) and rebounds (9.8). He had 15 double-doubles and six of his 11 career 30-point games this season and has scored in double digits all 91 games of his career.
From wire reports