Tucker to declare for NBA Draft
AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas swingman P.J. Tucker intends to declare himself eligible for the 2006 NBA Draft but does not plan to hire an agent, he said today. Tucker is the second Longhorn to declare for this year's draft, joining LaMarcus Aldridge who announced his decision on April 10. "I believe the best thing for me at this time is to test the waters and see where I stand," Tucker said. "By going through this process, I feel I'll get an accurate view of where I could be drafted this year. This is a win-win decision for me. If I feel comfortable with where I'm told I'd be drafted, I'll have the opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing in the NBA. If I'm not comfortable with where I'm at, I'll return for my senior year at Texas." Tucker earned second-team All-America honors from The Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writer's Association (USBWA) and was named the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year this season. He led the team in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding (9.5 rpg), steals (66) and minutes played (34.5 mpg). By not signing with an agent, Tucker could return to Texas without losing eligibility for his senior season. Tucker has until June 18 to withdraw his name from the draft-eligible list. "I have no problem with P.J. attempting to find out what his status may be in the upcoming draft," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "This is a good rule put in place for players to explore their draft status." The 2006 NBA Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28 in New York City.
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