Another Cougar Declares

I think I'll put this news first:

North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough -- The Associated Press national player of the year last season -- will return for his senior year.

Sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington will declare for the NBA draft, the school says, but will not hire agents --leaving open the possibility of their return.

Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. He led the Tar Heels to the winningest season in school history and the Final Four.

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Now, this:

BYU junior guard Lee Cummard announced Friday that he will enter his name for the 2008 NBA Draft but will not hire an agent to maintain his eligibility for his senior season of college.

The 6-foot-7 Cummard is the second Cougar player to explore his options in this year's NBA Draft, joining 6-foot-11 junior forward/center Trent Plaisted, who also did not hire an agent to keep open the option of a return to BYU next season.

"I want to see where I stand against some of the best competition in the world and see what my options are at that level," Cummard said. "I'm not hiring an agent because I want to keep open the opportunity to stay at BYU, but I'm going after this 100 percent. I'm looking to improve myself and make the best decision I can."

A native of Mesa, Ariz., Cummard was the Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year and received Associated Press All-America honorable mention this past season. The do-everything junior swingman led the Cougars in scoring (15.8), field-goal percentage (.569), three-point percentage (.472) and blocked shots (1.0) while ranking second in rebounds (6.3), assists (3.5), steals (0.9) and free-throw percentage (.857).

A three-year starter and top perimeter defender, Cummard has helped the Cougars achieve a 72-26 (.735) record and three straight postseason invitations, including NCAA Tournament bids the last two years. Under the tutelage of third-year BYU coach Dave Rose, Cummard and the Cougars have earned recognition in the top-25 rankings during each of the past two seasons while becoming the first MWC team to achieve back-to-back outright MWC championships. The Cougars defeated No. 6 Louisville and earned a 27-8 record in 2007-08, the second-most wins in school history.

"Lee had a terrific junior season for us, and he has decided to take advantage of the opportunity to explore the draft," Rose said. "He is an excellent all-around player who helped us win another Mountain West Conference Championship and was named our league's Co-Player of the Year."

By making himself eligible for the draft, Cummard can be invited to pre-draft camps designed to evaluate potential draft choices and participate in workouts with NBA teams. College underclassmen have until Sunday to declare for the draft. Student-athletes who have not signed with an agent can return to college by withdrawing from the draft by June 16.

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Everyone's situation is different, and sure, it's nice to be able to show up at a few NBA-sponsored camps to compete and assess your draft status, but if Hansbrough thinks he can use another year in college, every other player with less talent and fewer natural gifts should be going "Hmmmm." True, Hansbrough is confident of his draft status for next season, but he was equaly draftable this season, and he's not going to get any taller next year--only better.

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On the day he declared, I asked Trent Plaisted if he saw the value in being a "four year guy" like Tim Duncan, who played through his senior season at Wake Forest, then went on to play in Plaisted's home town of San Antonio.

Plaisted responded that since he redshirted his freshman season, he already was a "four year guy," even though he had only three playing years. But the subtext of the question was clear: Duncan, for all of his amazing abilities, did not think a money grab was as important as refining his game and competing as a college senior. I hope Plaisted comes to the same conclusion.

As for Cummard, without any disrespect intended, I can practically assure he'll be back. I'm less confident about Plaisted, if only for the fact big men with his athletic ability are coveted. But I think what both players SHOULD be doing is getting ready to lead their BYU team into 2008-09, and there's still time for that, before and after withdrawing from the draft. Certainly while preparing for and playing in pre-draft camps, Cummard and Plaisted will be working on their game, so BYU should benefit from their May-June experience, should one or both return.

As for fears that by testing the NBA waters, these players are not "fully invested" in the Cougars' fortunes, remember that Jaycee Carroll took the declaration route last year, and then returned to reclaim his title of "Mr. Aggie" and turn in one of the best seasons of any player in the country. Just a thought.

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Then there's this: Cougar-killer Josh Carter of Texas A&M became the 7,238th college player to declare for the 2008 NBA Draft this afternoon. He will not hire an agent.

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