Bogut To Declare For The NBA Draft

[SkipToMy_Lou]

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 Monday.

Bogut, the leading vote-getter 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.

"My decision is about what is best for my basketball career," Bogut said.

He's already hired an agent.

Bogut considered leaving after last season, when he was the Mountain West Conference freshman of the year, but a visit to Australia from new Utah coach Ray Giacoletti convinced Bogut to put off the NBA at least another year.

Bogut is expected to be a lottery pick in the NBA draft and possibly the first player chosen overall with his exceptional ballhandling skills for a center. Bogut led Utah in scoring and rebounding and was third on the team in assists with 82.

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.

Bogut was a starter on Australia's Olympic team last summer and averaged 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds.

It would have been a much bigger surprise if Bogut had elected to return to Utah for another season. Bogut declined to talk about his future after the 62-52 loss to Kentucky, but his teammates had a good idea what was coming.

"Bogut is definitely gone, you can see it in his eyes," Utah forward Bryant Markson said after Friday's game.

Former Utah coach Rick Majerus, who resigned midway through last season because of health concerns, pulled off one of his best recruiting achievements when he got Bogut to sign with Utah. Bogut was scheduled to join the Utes midway through the 2002-03 season, but had trouble getting cleared by the NCAA.

Bogut could have gone pro right away in Europe or signed with another school because his commitment to Utah expired during the delay, but kept his word and arrived in Salt Lake City in 2003.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

I think we were pretty certain of that outcome months ago...

[SkipToMy_Lou]

So was I, but it's always good to hear something official

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Now let's see about Marvin Williams and Chris Paul. My bet is they'll both return to school...

[cyanide]

Other than Bogut, who would be the in the top 2 prospects for this year's draft?

[Doobie]

idk cyanide but does anyone where hakeem warrick and julius hodge will stand???

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

does anyone where hakeem warrick and julius hodge will stand???

Warrick is no 20 and Hodge no 52 in NBADraft.net's mock draft.

[Doobie]

c'mon man julius hodge deserves higher then that , hopefully knicks could get him with one of their 2nd round picks , im telling u this kid is going to be something special in the NBA.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

So they said once about Felipe Lopez.... Then again, Michael Redd was selected at 43 or something, and look where he is now... You never know for sure about the draft...

[Riot]

Wayne Simien and Julius Hodge are in the same boat. Scouts don't know how well their games will translate into the NBA game. But Simien has the big time advantage because of his size. Simien will be a first round pick but Hodge will most likely be a early-2nd rounder.

[SkipToMy_Lou]

Marvin Williams said like last month, that he isn't declaring.

[Amphatoast]

i guess those 82 assist means hes ready for 82 games a year.
Hopefully the knicks can get him like patrick ewing back in the 80s

[Fresh8]

Hmmm... great to see Bogut enter into the league. It will be interesting, hes not a power player- more like Vlade Divac.

[J@3]

Chris Paul and Marvin Williams are generally considered the other 2 in the top 3 prospects, if they both come out that is. Deron Williams also boosted his stock somewhat.

[Andrew]

I'm hoping he won't become another "full of potential" pick, taken in the top ten (or even top five) then left to waste on a team that could be taking advantage of young talent at his position. I doubt he'll tear up the league as soon as he sets foot in it but he looks as though he'll be able to have an impact.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

I'm hoping he won't become another "full of potential" pick, taken in the top ten (or even top five) then left to waste on a team that could be taking advantage of young talent at his position. I doubt he'll tear up the league as soon as he sets foot in it but he looks as though he'll be able to have an impact.

This is the fate of European players, young, with huge upside and benched for the first 2 - 3 seasons...

Guys who've been to college and get drafted high up usually get a decent chance to prove what they're worth on the court, even Araujo had his playing time...

[Andrew]

True, though I'd name Stromile Swift as an example of a guy who went to college, got drafted in the top five and yet still suffered that fate.

[J@3]

This is the fate of European players, young, with huge upside and benched for the first 2 - 3 seasons...

He's Australian

[The X]

I don't think dweaver suggested he wasn't, merely just saying that lots of Euros get drafted at a young age and have to sit (Darko, Skita, etc)....

Bogut's time will depend on who selects him....I think at the very least, in his rookie season he'll play an Al Jefferson-like role off the bench....probably 1st or 2nd big man off the bench, and he'll play PF and C....

[Doobie]

if hornets get him he plays behind magloire , if the hawks get him he will probably start . if the bobcats get him (i doubt it because they need an explosive guard to go along with emeka) then he will start.

[The X]

if Bobcats got him, I reckon he would come off the bench behind Brezec to start....I reckon Bobcats will draft a PG....if Chris Paul is in the draft and available, then him....or Deron Williams if they are picking at No. 4....just can't see them picking Bogut for some reason....if they did, he would join with Brezec and 'Meka to make a pretty mean 3-headed young bigman combo....

[Doobie]

my pick is that he goes to atlanta.

[J@3]

New Orleans could afford to start him at Power Forward with his outside game, or even shift Magloire to PF I guess.

[The X]

Bogut would fit in better as a PF in New Orleans system....and maybe P.J. Brown can either be traded or be 6th man as he is starting to age, and it would be better for Hornets to get some more post-offense in their starting lineup....

[Doobie]

yes it may be better but right now at this moment , new orleans has 3rd worst record in the nba. they are behind bobcats and hawks , so percentage-wise , hawks should have 1st pick and bobcats 2nd. So honestly , i know that the hornets have a shot at getting 1st overall pick still but hawks and bobcats chances are greater , so i don't think hornets will get him unless they luck out in the lottery.