Few players can single-handedly affect the future of a college basketball program.
UCLA point guard Darren Collison is one of them.
Much of the Bruins’ future will be determined today as Collison will reportedly announce whether he will be putting his name in this year’s NBA Draft.
Collison’s intentions became a hot topic of discussion this week as his mother, June Griffith-Collison, announced her resignation as the director of San Bernardino County’s Regional Medical Center.
But on Monday, Griffith-Collison dismissed any ideas that she was resigning to prepare Collison for the NBA Draft.
“It’s just the job has gotten more demanding and this time is short to spend with my son,” Griffith-Collison told the Los Angeles Times. “I even missed an NCAA game (UCLA against Pittsburgh) because I couldn’t get away. Those moments are precious.”
Collison, who was an All-Pac-10 performer this past season, has been leaning toward returning for his junior season, according to numerous published reports.
If Collison were to put his name in the draft, he would likely be a first-round pick as this year’s point guard class is very weak, and Collison has been rated as one of the top college point guards in the country.
Throughout this season, however, Collison reiterated that he was not thinking about the NBA Draft and stated the importance of earning his degree to both him and his family.
If Collison were to return, he would have the advantage of playing with sophomore forward Josh Shipp, who will be returning next season, as well as Parade All-American High School Player of the Year Kevin Love.
Collison and his mother met with coach Ben Howland regarding his future last week, and Collison has until Sunday to make his final decision.
LEGION COMMITS: Former UCLA recruit Alex Legion officially ended his recruiting process on Tuesday, as he signed with the Kentucky Wildcats.
Legion, who was released out of his Michigan letter of intent last week, was considering UCLA as one of his final four choices, but eventually chose to play for Kentucky under its new head coach Billy Gillispie.
Legion was a national top 10-rated recruit for the class of 2007.