Mike Dunleavy, rising senior co-captain for the men's basketball team, will consider forgoing his senior season and enter the NBA Draft, recruiting expert Kurt O'Neill of EliteHoopRecruits.com reported Thursday. O'Neill's website, citing "several sources" close to the team, said that he expects Dunleavy to put his name into the draft, but not sign with an agent, allowing him to pull his name out and return for his senior season if he desires.
Dunleavy declined a request for an interview, and a spokesperson for the men's basketball program declined to comment.
ESPN.com is also reporting that Dunleavy will enter the draft and will announce his decision at a Saturday press conference.
If Dunleavy enters the draft, many experts predict him to be a lock for the lottery and probably a top-10 pick. He averaged 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season.
Unlike his teammates Carlos Boozer and Jason Williams, who said they were graduating early and entering the NBA Draft, Dunleavy played all of last season with his team's, fans' and the media's expectation that he would be back for his senior year. Recently, head coach Mike Krzyzewski told The Chronicle that Dunleavy would return.
O'Neill reported that Dunleavy's decision was due in part to the influence of his father, Mike Dunleavy Sr., a former NBA player and coach who "feels the time is right for his son to enter the draft."
Dunleavy Jr.'s draft entry form must be postmarked no later than May 12 for him to be eligible for this year's draft. If Dunleavy does not sign with an agent he has through June 19 to withdraw his name so he can return and retain his eligibility.
The NBA Draft is June 26 in New York.
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