Duke frosh Rivers says he'll turn pro
Duke freshman guard Austin Rivers has announced that he is leaving college and will enter his name in the NBA draft.
Duke freshman guard Austin Rivers has announced that he is leaving college and will enter his name in the NBA draft.
Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, announced his decision and plans to hire an agent after team officials said he spent the weekend discussing his plans with his family at their home outside Orlando, Fla.
"Duke has prepared me for the challenges that are ahead both on and off the court," Rivers said in a statement issued by the school. "I have learned so much from the coaching staff and my teammates that will help me succeed at the next level."
Rivers averaged a team-leading 15.5 points and was a unanimous selection as the Atlantic Coast Conference's rookie of the year. The top highlight of his only college season was a buzzer-beating three-pointer last month that gave Duke an 85-84 victory at North Carolina.
He's the fourth player to leave Duke after one season and the second in 2 years, after Cleveland made Kyrie Irving the No. 1 overall pick of last year's draft.
"Austin had a terrific year as a freshman and has put himself in a position to pursue his dream of being a great player in the NBA," coach Mike Krzyzewski said, adding that he supports the decision. "We look forward to watching him continue to develop and excel at the next level."
Meanwhile, Mississippi State forward Renardo Sidney signed with an agent and will declare for the NBA draft.
The 6-10 junior from Jackson, Miss., averaged 11.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over two seasons with the Bulldogs. He battled eligibility problems early in his career, and occasionally had discipline issues, including a highly publicized fight with a teammate in the stands during a tournament in Hawaii.
In a statement from the school, Sidney says he appreciates "Mississippi State giving me an opportunity to play," but wants to follow his "dream of playing in the NBA."
Sidney averaged 14.2 points and 7.6 points during his sophomore season, but his production dipped as a junior. He averaged 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game last year, helping the Bulldogs to a 21-12 record.
Noteworthy *
Kansas junior forward Thomas Robinson was a unanimous selection to the Associated Press' All-America team, a day after leading the Jayhawks to the Final Four.
The 6-10 Robinson averaged 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds this season and he was a first-team pick by all 65 members of the national media panel that selects the weekly Top 25.
Joining Robinson on the first team were Ohio State's Jared Sullinger (the first repeat All-America in 3 years), Kentucky's Anthony Davis, Michigan State's Draymond Green and Creighton's Doug McDermott.
All five also were named to the John R. Wooden All-American team, along with Murray State's Isaiah Canaan, Marquette's Jae Crowder, Missouri's Marcus Denmon, West Virginia's Kevin Jones, and North Carolina's Tyler Zeller, all of whom were named to the AP's second team.
* Murray State and Steve Prohm agreed to a 1-year contract extension and a pay raise after the Racers completed the most successful season in their school's history. The Racers started 23-0 as the last undefeated team in NCAA Division I, rising as high as ninth in the poll. After beating Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament, Murray State fell to Marquette to finish the season 31-2.
Prohm took over this year after spending 5 years as an assistant coach under Billy Kennedy.
Prohm's base salary will increase from $195,000 to $270,000 and his radio and TV contracts push his total compensation to $300,000, not including incentives. The new deal runs through the 2015-16 season.
* UAB hired North Carolina assistant Jerod Haase as head coach, replacing Mike Davis, who was fired after making the NCAA Tournament once in six seasons.