Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 11, 1990 TAG: 9005110122
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
"I made the decision to turn the page on this part of my life and open a new chapter," Maryland sophomore Jerrod Mustaf said Thursday in announcing his decision to turn pro.
Citing NCAA sanctions against the Maryland program, Mustaf said he would make a formal application to the NBA by Sunday's deadline. The complete list of underclassmen declaring themselves eligible for the June 28 draft will be available May 17.
Several college stars already have announced they will come out early: Chris Jackson of LSU, Sean Higgins of Michigan and Marcus Liberty of Illinois. Others, such as Larry Johnson of Nevada-Las Vegas and Dennis Scott of Georgia Tech, may follow.
Thirty-eight college underclassmen declared themselves eligible for the NFL draft, and 18 were chosen. Fewer underclassmen are expected to be taken in the NBA draft, which lasts two rounds; the NFL draft is 12 rounds.
Mustaf, a 6-foot-10 forward, averaged 18.5 points and 7.7 rebounds for Maryland last season, but he may be coming out a year early.
"My feeling is that if a player who has the potential to be a lottery pick later on comes out early, it could cost him a substantial amount of money," said Bob Ferry, general manager of the NBA's Washington Bullets. "If you know a team is going to draft you, that's fine. But if you're shooting craps, it's a tough situation."
One day before Mustaf announced his decision, Liberty, a 6-8 forward who led Illinois in rebounds and assists, announced he was turning pro. Financial problems reportedly prompted his decision.
While Johnson repeatedly has said he plans to stay at UNLV for his final season, there has been speculation that he will turn pro, especially since the Runnin' Rebels already have won a national championship.
Scott, a 6-8 junior who averaged 27.7 points for Georgia Tech, said he will announce his decision at a news conference Monday.
"It would not be surprising [if he chose the NBA]," Eric Fleischer, an agent for several NBA players, said.
Last month, Higgins announced he would skip his final year of eligibility at Michigan to play in the NBA draft. Jackson made his announcement in March, giving up his last two years of eligibility.
Higgins, who played on Michigan's national championship team in 1989, liked campus life but apparently wasn't particularly fond of school work. He was academically ineligible at the start of his college career.
"If I had stayed, I would be in good academic standing," Higgins said.
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