THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604070167
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Allen Iverson may yet make himself available for the NBA draft, but reports that Georgetown's sophomore All-American would make an announcement Saturday turned out to be premature.
Virginia Beach radio station WGH-AM reported Friday night that Iverson would hold a news conference in Hampton on Saturday to announce that he was forgoing his final two years of eligibility to turn pro. The report was picked up nationally, and anticipation of an Iverson announcement was running high in his hometown.
But a Georgetown spokesman said the university knew nothing of a press conference, and none was held Saturday.
The Daily Press of Newport News also reported that Iverson had decided to turn pro and would make an announcement this weekend. The newspaper quoted local AAU basketball guru Boo Williams and an unidentified source.
Williams, besieged by media calls from the across the nation, said his remarks had been misinterpreted.
``This is speculation on top of speculation,'' Williams said. ``I haven't talked to Allen in four weeks. I've talked to his mother. Allen knows my position. I don't think kids should leave early.''
Williams was not identified by WGH but admitted talking to the radio station Friday night at a high school girls all-star basketball game at Hampton University. After talking to Williams, WGH radio personality Tony Mercurio, who was the public address announcer, announced over the P.A. that Iverson was turning pro. The radio station then interrupted a Washington Bullets broadcast to report the news.
``I was not the source of all these rumors,'' Williams said. ``I was just passing on what I'd heard.''
Sources said Iverson was in Hampton on Friday night, watching an AAU game at Hampton High. A source also said Iverson was in Hampton last week and may have told friends that he is leaving Georgetown for the NBA.
Iverson and Georgetown coach John Thompson were unavailable for comment Saturday.
Iverson, a 6-foot point guard, would be the first Georgetown player to leave early for the NBA. The Bethel High graduate averaged 25 points per game this year and was voted a first-team All-American.
The deadline for applying for the draft is May 12. Under NCAA rules, Iverson can declare for the draft and still return to Georgetown, provided he does not sign with an agent. NBA scouts have said that Iverson would be among the first four players selected.
Thompson said last month that he expected Iverson to return for his junior year.
Iverson has left the door open, saying that he will talk with his family before making a decision. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE
Georgetown All-American Allen Iverson was unavailable for comment on
reports that he would forgo his final two years of eligibility.
by CNB