Herren Will Stay At Fresno State

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

May 1, 1998 / 10:12 PM EDT / CBS Sportsline

Apparently, Chris Herren had a change of heart.

The point guard, who has a history of personal problems involving substance abuse and originally entered the NBA Draft last month, has changed his mind and will return to Fresno State for his senior season.

The NBA released its complete list of underclassmen who applied and are eligible for the draft today and Herren's name was not on it. The 6-foot-3 Herren did not retain an agent, allowing him the option to withdraw his name without losing his collegiate eligibility.

Herren, who averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 assists last season, was one of five Bulldog underclassmen to apply for the NBA Draft. However, forwards Tremaine Fowlkes, Winfred Walton and point guard Rafer Alston stayed in the draft.

Point guard Kenny Brunner, who transferred from Georgetown late last season and never played for Fresno State, also withdrew his name from the draft but will not play at the school after being charged with an assault in an off-court incident with forward Avondre Jones that involved guns and samurai swords.

Herren missed five games with an undisclosed substance-abuse problem last season. He has a history of drug and alcohol woes dating to his days at Boston College, where he started his collegiate career before transferring to Fresno State before the 1995-96 season.

Herren has the ability to play both guard positions, but played more shooting guard this season with the arrival of Alston, a junior college transfer. He shot 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range, contributing almost two steals per game.

The Bulldogs went 21-13 this season, reaching the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament.