By Craig Degel
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 10, 1998

Bibby says goodbye to Arizona

Saying he hoped to make an impact no matter where he plays, Arizona All-American sophomore point guard Mike Bibby declared himself eligible yesterday for June's NBA Draft.

Accompanied at the podium by his mother, Virginia, and flashing a million-dollar smile, Bibby told friends, former teammates and more than 50 members of the media that it was time to move on.

"It's been a great two years," Bibby said at an afternoon press conference held in McKale Room. "Winning a national championship was a dream of mine; the other was to play in the NBA. I'm ready to make this step. Hopefully I'll play successfully."

Bibby is expected to be among the top-three picks when the NBA gathers to draft its newest members June 24 in Vancouver. Going No. 1 or No. 2 would make him the highest draft pick in UA history. Sean Elliott was taken with the third pick of the 1989 draft by San Antonio.

His decision makes him just the second player in the Lute Olson era to jump for the NBA early. Brian Williams left UA in 1991 after his junior season.

Bibby said he came to the decision after lengthy talks with his mother, Olson and his family attorney.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was a little boy," Bibby said. "I know it's a tough level. I'm going to just try and make an impact."

When Bibby signed with Arizona after his junior year at Phoenix Shadow Mountain High School, a member of the media asked Olson if he thought he would have the player for more than two years.

"I'd rather have him for two years than not at all," Olson said. "His contribution over the last two years is obvious."

Bibby started all 69 games of his UA career, helping the Wildcats to a national championship in 1997 and the Pacific 10 Conference title and an Elite Eight appearance this season.

Individually, Bibby is as decorated as they come. He was the Pac-10's freshman of the year last season and its player of the year in 1998. Also, he was a first-team All-American this season and finished third in Wooden Award voting. He finishes his career with averages of 15.4 points, 5.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds a game

"If anyone's ready for the NBA, it's Mike Bibby," said friend, personal trainer and former teammate Josh Pastner.

Bibby said he plans to travel between Tucson and Phoenix in the coming weeks and continue to work out with Pastner and UA strength coach Marc Hill to get ready.

Asked if that meant he was no longer enrolled in classes, Bibby again flashed the smile -however sheepish - and said he had no comment on the issue, drawing a laugh from the room.

Olson said the one thing he and Bibby discussed most was the off-court adjustments he will have to make in the pros, which can often be a tempting - albeit, lonely - existence.

"This is a decision, frankly, we had been anticipating," Olson said. "Mike is an outstanding young man. He has the kinds of morals and ethics that I think are very important as he heads on to the NBA. He makes good decisions and I'm convinced he will continue to do so."

Asked if he had a favorite Mike Bibby moment, Olson thought for a second and said, "when he called on the phone after his junior year and said he was coming here."