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Heels keep Hansbrough, may lose Ellington, Lawson
Tyler Hansbrough wants to make one more run at the national championship. The North Carolina star will have to wait a little longer to find out whether two of his high-scoring teammates will be back to help him.
The Associated Press national player of the year said yesterday he will return for his senior year. However, sophomores Ty Lawson and Episcopal Academy's Wayne Ellington will declare for the NBA draft, though they won't hire agents - leaving open the possibility of their return.
Hansbrough, a 6-9 forward, averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. He led the Tar Heels (36-3) to the winningest season in school history and the Final Four while sweeping the major national player of the year awards. He will be the first returning AP national player of the year since LSU's Shaquille O'Neal in 1991.
Ellington, a 6-4 wing guard, averaged nearly 17 points per game as the Tar Heels' top perimeter scorer. Lawson averaged about 13 while directing coach Roy Williams' fast-paced offense.
Players who declare but do not hire an agent have until June 16 to withdraw their names.
"I'm not dying to leave here, but playing in the NBA is another dream I have," Ellington said.
Noteworthy
* The NCAA announced that the Drexel's men's team received the Academic Performance Program public recognition award for the second straight season, for posting improved scores under the Academic Progress Rate program. Drexel has graduated every player who has exhausted his eligibility in coach Bruiser Flint's seven seasons.
* New LSU coach Trent Johnson will make at least $1.2 million a year under a contract approved by the governing board.
* Cincinnati signed guard Dion Dixon, of Chicago, and center Steven Toyloy, from Miami-Dade (Fla.) Community College.
* Brigham Young junior guard Lee Cummard is entering the NBA draft, but will not hire an agent. *
