Wildcats Magloire Enters Draft

May 7, 1999 / 8:28 PM EDT / AP

Kentucky center Jamaal Magloire will enter the NBA draft but will retain the option of returning to Lexington for his senior year if he doesn't like his probable draft position, coach Tubby Smith said Friday.

By not signing with an agent and enrolling for summer school at Kentucky, Magloire will have until June 23 one week before the draft to change his mind and remain eligible for NCAA play.

Magloire was in his hometown of Toronto when Smith made the announcement during a news conference. The coach said he met with Magloire and his parents in Toronto on Thursday to discuss the 6-foot-10 center's plans.

Smith said he supports Magloire's decision to assess his NBA options by attending pre-draft workouts and the league's pre-draft camp in Chicago.

He said he did not know what draft position might meet Magloire's requirements for turning pro, but said he thinks it "highly likely" Magloire will be back at Kentucky next season.

"He's not definite (about turning pro)," he said. "If he was definite, he wouldn't be doing this."

Magloire averaged seven points and 4.4 rebounds in 34 games last season, coming off the bench in all but two of those games. He led Kentucky with 66 blocked shots and has 211 career blocks, fourth on the school's career list.

"It's always been my dream to play in the NBA and I've worked hard all my life to reach this goal," Magloire said in a statement issued by Kentucky. "I have sat down with my family and decided to test the waters, but I'm leaving the door open to return to UK."

Most analysts have projected Magloire as a late first-round pick at best and have said he would benefit from a final year in college.

Magloire had an up-and-down junior season that began when two companions were arrested for drug possession and Magloire was searched by police before being freed. Smith suspended him for the first two regular-season games for that, then suspended him again midway through the season when he missed a curfew.

Magloire came on strong in the latter part of the season, however, helping lead Kentucky to the regional finals of the NCAA tournament.

Magloire could become the sixth member of last season's team to leave. Seniors Scott Padgett, Heshimu Evans and Wayne Turner are graduating, and sophomores Michael Bradley and Ryan Hogan announced last week that they would transfer.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the departure of Bradley and Hogan, Smith said he was shocked and saddened, particularly by Bradley's decision.

Little used as a freshman, Bradley started all 37 games in 1998-99, nearly all of them at center, and set a school record for shooting percentage.

"I said I thought he was the most improved player I've ever coached," Smith said. "Somebody else is getting a very good player."

Should Magloire also leave, Kentucky would return only six schlarship players: guard Saul Smith, the coach's son; forward-center Jules Camara; forward-guards Desmond Allison and Tayshaun Prince; and reserve guards Todd Tackett and J.P. Blevins. Smith will be a junior, the rest sophomores.

"We're going to be young. We were going to be young anyway," even with Magloire, Smith said.

Kentucky's signees include forward-center Nate Knight, a 6-8 junior college transfer; guard Keith Bogans; and 6-10 forward-center Marvin Stone. Forward Marquis Estill is a question mark after surgery on both knees. A fourth signee, center John Stewart of Indianapolis, collapsed and died in March during an Indiana state high school playoff game.

In spite of all the comings and goings, Smith said he isn't worried.

"This program is going to survive and prosper," he said.