DePaul's Richardson To Go Pro

May 2, 2000 / 10:50 PM EDT / CBS/AP

This time, school can wait. Quentin Richardson is turning pro, eager for a chance at the big bucks and bright lights of the NBA.

"I've decided to move on to the next level," Richardson said Wednesday, announcing his decision to leave DePaul after two years and declare for the June NBA draft.

Just 13 months ago, Richardson decided to put the pros on hold, stay in school and hone his game. Now he thinks he's ready to make the biggest jump of all.

Scouts believe the 6-foot-5 Richardson has the quickness and the jumping ability to play in the NBA, but many think he needs to work on his ballhandling so he can drive to the basket and hit his jump shot while on the move. His stock may have fallen with a sometimes inconsistent sophomore season, but he said such talk only motivates him.

"That just makes me want to work even harder so I can turn around and prove them wrong," Richardson said.

The 16th undergrad to declare for the NBA, Richardson is projected to be chosen somewhere in the middle or late first round.

"What Quentin has accomplished at DePaul has been nothing less than remarkable," DePaul coach Pat Kennedy said.

"A lot of players stay home, but few have had the impact on a school and a city like Quentin did. I'm very confident he will have a very solid pro career. I think he'll be 15 and above in the draft."

Richardson, a Chicago native, averaged 17 points and 9.8 rebounds this past season, leading DePaul to a 21-12 record and the school's first NCAA tournament appearance since 1992. The Blue Demons were bounced out in the first round in overtime by Kansas.

He averaged 18.9 points and 10.5 rebounds as a freshman and was chosen Conference USA Player of the Year, using his quick jumping ability to beat many bigger players to rebounds.

After his family thoroughly researched his options, he chose to come back for one more year. His father, Lee Richardson, a motorman for the Chicago Transit Authority for 33 years, wanted his son to get an education.

And he still does.

"Personally, I would have liked 'Q' to stay in school, but I support his move to the NBA 100 percent," the elder Richardson said. "I look forward to Quentin getting a degree down the road."

Richardson was not available for further comment Wednesday and a person answering the phone at his house said he wasn't around.

Earlier he told a TV station: "This has been a dream of mine. I feel like you don't really make the most money in your firscontract. I feel as long as you get where you're going to get your opportunities to work hard and play, the second contract will pay off."

Richardson said he talked with another former Chicago-area prep star, Corey Maggette, who left Duke after just one season. Maggette's playing time with the Orlando Magic this season was up and down. But Maggette told him he'd do the same thing again if he had the chance.

DePaul guard Paul McPherson, a junior, previously declared for the draft.