The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Aldridge to declare for NBA Draft
04.10.2006 | Men's Basketball
AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas forward LaMarcus Aldridge intends to declare himself eligible for the 2006 NBA Draft and has begun the process of hiring an agent, he said tonight.
"When I came to Texas, my main two goals were to get started on earning my degree and to have the opportunity to play in the NBA,"Aldridge said. "I've accomplished both of those and the opportunity is there for me right now to begin the next stage of my basketball career."
Aldridge earned third-team All-America honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year accolades this season, averaging 15.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest. He recorded 16 double-doubles in 37 games, tying for fifth place on the UT single-season chart. In 53 career games at Texas, Aldridge averaged 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest.
"I've never been around a player who has wanted to be coached more than LaMarcus," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "I really appreciate the way he did not allow this decision to become a distraction to himself or to the program throughout the season. He's handled the process the right way."
Aldridge is the fifth Longhorn to leave college early for the NBA, joining LaSalle Thompson (1982), Chris Mihm (2000), Maurice Evans (2001) and T.J. Ford (2003). The 2006 NBA Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28 in New York City.
