CHAPEL HILL - The statement was quick, the resolve was firm and the pain was like a sharp dagger in the side of Tar Heel fans everywhere.
"After discussing and talking with Coach Guthridge and Coach Smith, my mom and dad and especially God, I've decided to forgo my senior year in college and enter my name into the NBA draft."
Antawn Jamison, the unanimous National Player of the Year, consensus All-American and All-Atlantic Coast Conference forward, has left the University of North Carolina to pursue his life-long dream of playing in the NBA. Announced at a press conference Monday morning at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, this decision comes on the heels of a Final Four berth for Jamison's Tar Heels as well as several major awards for himself.
Jamison, who averaged 22.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this past season, sat at the press table flanked by his head coach and his former head coach, announcing that there was very little left for him to accomplish at college. Citing over and over the importance of a degree, which Jamison hopes to acquire by attending two sessions of summer school before heading to the pros, the 6-foot-9 junior expressed gratitude for his years at UNC.
"These were the best three years of my life," Jamison said. "When I came to making my decision, that was the most difficult part, saying goodbye. I never imagined that all the things that had happened to me over the past few years would happen."
Jamison does have the opportunity to change his mind, and reclaim his eligibility until seven days before the June 24 draft, provided that he has not signed with an agent. However, he has stated that this idea has not even crossed his mind.
"As far as pulling my name out of the draft, or anything like that," Jamison said. "I've decided to leave, and I'm going to stick with leaving.... I made my decision. There's no turning back now. I know there might be a lockout, but I'm willing to take that chance."
Jamison joins a lengthening list of UNC players who have not finished their four years at the school. Recently, Jeff McInnis left after his junior year. Before him, Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace both departed after their sophomore seasons. There is, however, one major difference between Jamison's situation and those that led to the departures of his predecessors.
"Antawn is graduating in three years," former head coach Dean Smith said. "As you know, Michael Jordan, James Worthy and J.R. Reid all left after their junior year, and had to come back and complete their degrees.... What Antawn has meant to this program, being the type of young man he is from this type of family is outstanding, and we appreciate it and thank him. Some lucky pro team will have a man of his character and his work habits and his ability; they're very lucky."
Jamison is looking forward to not only playing in the NBA, but admittedly making the big money. Previously, his mother and father both worked to support him, his brother and his sister. In fact, his father had to work two jobs. Jamison said that he was looking forward to repaying his family for all that they have done for him.
Although Jamison says that he doesn't have a top-choice NBA team that he wants to select him in the upcoming draft, he does have an NBA wish.
"If I had my wish, I'd be standing right beside Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan," he said. "If I get drafted by Denver or Dallas, I plan on spending my career there.... I would like to kind of stay close to the South."
Jamison also admits that despite all the success, there are some aspects of his game that he needs to improve in order to play at the next level.
"I think that I can really stroke the jumper," Jamison said. "But I think I just need to get comfortable with it. I think that the biggest thing is really understanding the game. That's really understanding how to play defense and offense. That's going to come by working with the team I'm drafted by."
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