LSU's Swift To Enter NBA Draft

LSU forward Stromile Swift said Thursday he will enter his name into the NBA draft but not retain an agent, giving him the choice of pulling out before the June 28 draft.

The move lets Swift keep his amateur status and collegiate eligibility while giving him time to gather more accurate information about where he would be selected in the draft, LSU said in a release.

"I love being at LSU and being a part of the LSU basketball team and I have no desire to give that up, but I owe it to my family to get all of the facts about where I would be drafted if I decided to leave," Swift said. "There are a lot of rumors about where I would be drafted, and this just gives me a chance to get past all of the rumors and find out more facts."

The 6-foot-9 sophomore forward averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds last season as the Tigers reached the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

College underclassmen have until Sunday to apply for the draft. Putting his name in the draft lets Swift observe the May 21 lottery, which will decide draft order, and will let him work out for NBA teams while keeping his NCAA eligibility.

Swift must decide by June 21 whether to leave his name in the draft.

"I think this is a wise choice that allows him to make a decision on as many available facts as he and his family can gather," LSU coach John Brady said. "I am in total agreement with his mother and with Stromile to do what is best for him.

"Stromile has continued to work out with the team since our Sweet 16 appearance and he will enroll in intersession if necessary to maintain his eligibility," Brady said.

"I'm going to do everything necessary to maintain my eligibility at LSU until I have to make a final decision," Swift said. "Coach Brady and his staff have been nothing but fair to me since I have been at LSU. I am going to do the same thing in return."

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