SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga All-America forward Adam Morrison declared for the NBA draft Wednesday and will pass up his senior season for a chance to be a lottery pick.
The 6-foot-8-inch floppy-haired, mustachioed forward, who led Division I in scoring last season at 28.1 points per game, is a diabetic. He said uncertainty over his future health prospects was a factor in his decision.
"It's been a great process so far. It's been fun, but I've decided to try to take my game to the next level and further my career as a basketball player," Morrison said at a campus news conference.
Morrison, who was the West Coast Conference player of the year, edged Duke's J.J. Redick for this year's national scoring title. He finished second to Redick for the Naismith and John R. Wooden Awards for college basketball's player of the year.
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Gonzaga coach Mark Few said his staff and the team were "ecstatic" for Morrison.
"This truly is a great day. A great day for Adam, a great day for our basketball program and me personally," Few said. "It's the right decision, because he and his family went about it the right way. ... It's what he wants to do and he is ready for it. He's going to be a great player at the next level."
Some critics, though, have complained about his defense and downplayed his passing and rebounding abilities.
There is no doubt Morrison can shoot, making nearly 50 percent of his shots, including 43 percent of three-pointers, even with defenders hanging all over him.
Powe declares without agent
OAKLAND, Calif. — Leon Powe received positive news about his surgically repaired left knee, and that was exactly what California's star forward needed to finally make a decision about his future.
Powe declared for the NBA draft Wednesday, but does not plan to sign with an agent immediately. That will give him the option to return to the Golden Bears for his junior season.
"My family and I thought this was the best decision right now, to make myself eligible for the draft without hiring an agent," Powe said in a statement. "I want to leave all of my options open."
