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Wednesday, May 2, 2001
St. John's preparing for Cook's early departure
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
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TEMPE, Ariz. – St. John's freshman Omar Cook, Kentucky sophomore Keith Bogans and junior Tayshaun Prince, Fresno State freshman Tito Maddox and North Carolina sophomore Joseph Forte all are expected to declare for the NBA draft before the May 13 deadline, sources within the league and close to each player told ESPN.com.
Sources close to Cook said he would make an announcement soon and the Red Storm coaching staff is already prepared for him to leave. The signing of Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College guard Marcus Hatten has put them at ease over Cook's pending departure. Cook met with the coaching staff within the last week but didn't disclose his plans.
Sources close to Bogans and Prince said they would declare, possibly next week once school is over. It's not clear if they will hold a joint news conference, but sources close to the Kentucky coaching staff said the Wildcats are aware that they will test the draft process. They don't expect either player to stay in the draft. Underclassmen have until June 20 to withdraw their names from the draft.
Maddox is expected to meet with the Fresno State coaching staff and tell them he would declare. Representatives with Franchise Sports America, a sports agency out of Las Vegas, said he would declare, too.
Sources close to Forte said he's waiting until school is over next week before meeting with former North Carolina coaches Dean Smith and Bill Guthridge and present North Carolina coach Matt Doherty to make a final decision. But the North Carolina coaching staff is expecting Forte to test the draft process and wouldn't be surprised if he leaves.
Three more players, all because of eligibility concerns, are also expected to officially declare, sources said. Candidates interviewing for the George Washington search have been told sophomore SirValiant Brown won't return to the team and will declare for the draft. Rhode Island coach Jim Baron has said sophomore guard Zach Marbury intends on doing the same. Meanwhile, Compton Centennial (Calif.) High School center Tony Key will declare as well.
Representatives with Franchise Sports America brought Key to the Phoenix area for NBA personnel to watch Key workout while they attend the Nike Desert Classic draft camp at Arizona State. Key would be a record fifth high school senior to declare for the draft.
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