Dijon Thompson will make himself eligible for the 2004 NBA
Draft, but the junior swingman expects to be back in a UCLA uniform
next year.
Thompson, the Bruins’ leading scorer this past season,
will not hire an agent, leaving open the option to return to
school. He has enrolled in classes this quarter and will continue
to participate in UCLA’s spring workout schedule.
“As of now I would consider myself coming back,”
Thompson said. “That’s why I’m taking classes and
working out with my teammates. But I owe it to myself to see where
I stand.”
The 6-foot-7 Thompson, who arrived at his press conference clad
in Chicago Bulls shorts, said he’d been mulling over the
decision since the Bruins’ season ended last month. Though he
did not consult any NBA scouts about his draft status, he did speak
with his parents and former teammate and current Cleveland Cavalier
Jason Kapono, who helped him make the decision.
Thompson hopes to attend the Chicago Pre-Draft Camp held June
8-11, where he would be personally evaluated by league scouts and
general managers.
“The draft camp will give him a clear picture as to where
the (NBA scouts) see him,” UCLA coach Ben Howland said.
“He’s anxious to get his name out there.”
If scouts advise Thompson to return to school, he said he would
not hesitate to come back to UCLA for his senior season. A standout
performance in Chicago, however, might make that decision more
difficult.
The deadline for Thompson to withdraw his name from the draft
pool is June 17.
Thompson would be the ninth Bruin to leave school early for the
professional ranks and the fifth in the past decade. Of the
previous four, only JaRon Rush failed to carve out a spot on an NBA
roster.
Cautionary tales like Rush’s high-profile flame-out
haven’t had much of an impact on Thompson. Although he
understands the ramifications of leaving early, he is comfortable
with whatever choice he makes.
“I’m going about this the right way,” Thompson
said. “I’m leaving myself the option of coming
back.”
Thompson quickly quashed any speculation that UCLA’s
guard-heavy incoming recruiting class played any role in his
decision. Though the Bruins will add two quality wings ““
guards Arron Afflalo and Josh Shipp ““ and possibly a third in
Detroit prep phenom Malik Hairston, Thompson denied that playing
time was an issue.
“Not at all,” he said.
While Thompson is planning to make his decision after attending
the Pre-Draft camp, there is no guarantee that he will even be
among the 60 players invited. NBA Director of Scouting Marty Blake,
who is in charge of creating the final list, said only the best
early entries will be asked to showcase their talents this
year.
Blake’s policy is not to comment on underclassmen
specifically, but he did offer this precautionary message.
“Half of the kids who come out can’t play,” he
said, “and the other half can’t get back into
school.”
Academic issues certainly aren’t much of a concern for
Thompson, who is on track to graduate next winter with a
bachelor’s degree in history.
Whether he is ready for the rigors of the NBA remains to be
seen.
Thompson, who was named UCLA’s co-MVP along with senior
T.J. Cummings at the squad’s awards banquet Wednesday,
averaged 14.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this past season as
the Bruins sputtered to an 11-17 record.
Although UCLA should undoubtedly be very deep at the guard
position next year, Howland believes the loss of Thompson would be
significant.
“Dijon’s one of our best players,” he said.
“Hopefully we’ll have him back next year.”