May 4, 1998
LEXINGTON, Kty. – Junior Nazr Mohammed has declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft, but has left open the option of returning to the University of Kentucky for his senior season, it was announced at a press conference on the UK campus on Monday.
Mohammed, a 6-10, 240-pound center, said he will not hire an agent and will leave open the option of withdrawing from the NBA Draft. NCAA rules allow student-athletes to declare for the NBA and then return to school as long as they withdraw from the draft seven days ahead of time in writing. “I’m basically trying to keep my options open,” said Mohammed, who started 27 of the Wildcats’ 39 games during the championship season. “I’m in a great situation where I can explore this opportunity. But it’s my goal to play in the NBA.”
Coach Tubby Smith supports Mohammed in whatever decision he makes. “Certainly, I believe Nazr should stay, but that’s my opinion,” Smith said. “He’s got to make his own decision. “We want him to stay around, but we understand and appreciate everything he’s done for the University of Kentucky and this program. But whatever happens, we wish him the best.”
Mohammed becomes the fourth Wildcat in six years to declare for the draft before his senior season. Jamal Mashburn left after his junior season and was the fourth pick by the Dallas Mavericks. Antoine Walker, the sixth pick by the Boston Celtics in the 1996 draft, left after his sophomore season as did Ron Mercer, who was also picked sixth by the Celtics in last year’s draft. Two other Wildcats, Tom Payne (1971) and Rex Chapman (1988), have left for the NBA Draft early.
Mohammed, a native of Chicago, was second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.0 points per game, and led the team in rebounding and blocked shots, averaging 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He shot 59.7 percent from the field, the fourth highest percentage ever recorded at UK. His performance earned him first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors by both the coaches and the media as well.
The NBA Draft is June 24th in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Nazr Mohammed Press Conference
Mohammeds Opening Statement
“I would like to thank everyone for coming out to this press conference today. Most of you know that I have been pondering over making myself available for the NBA draft. Before I announce my decision, I would like to thank my teammates, my coaching staffs both Rick Pitinos staff and Coach Tubby Smith and most importantly, I would like to thank the fans of Kentucky basketball. Nowhere else do you find the support and love by the fans displayed here. They support us on the road, at home and even at the airport when we return. For those reasons, I found this decision to be very difficult.
I was caught between deciding to return to the University of Kentucky and trying to win a third national championship during my tenure, or to declare myself eligible for the NBA Draft, which would allow for a better life for my close friends, family and myself. Like every other college basketball player, it has always been my dream to play basketball in the NBA. After discussing my decision with my father and Coach Smith, I have decided that it is in my best interest to declare myself eligible for the NBA Draft. I think I have a great opportunity to explore my options to play at the next level. However, I will keep my options open. I have decided not to hire an agent so that if I decide to return to the University of Kentucky, my eligibility will still be intact.”
On the chance of returning for his senior season
“I feel that there is always the possibility. I am basically trying to keep my options open, and I am in a great situation where I can explore this opportunity. But my goal is to play in the NBA.”
On Antoine Walkers influencing his decision
“I didnt play that much into my decision. Weve talked about it, and he supports me in whatever decision I make. But he has been there for awhile, so we have two different situations.”
On having a defining moment when he knew to declare for the NBA Draft
“Not one particular thing that I can think of. I am still ecstatic of winning a national championship and everything that comes with it. No, there wasnt just one thing that swayed my decision.”
“It was a difficult decision. There are so many things that weigh in as far as the expected success of returning and getting better, the betterment of my family, leaving the coaching staff here, my teammates and the support the fans have given me since day one. These are all things you just cant replace. Ive changed my mind four or five times since coming to this decision, but I am pretty much set now.”
“There is pressure in any decision that I make. I have to do whatever is best for my family, my close friends and myself. It is hard to explain because I have gotten so much love from the coaching staff and fans.”
On a having a defining term that will be the deciding factor on whether to return to UK or not
“I dont really know. I havent drawn a line as far as what is going to sway my decision. I am just going to have to cross that bridge when I get to it.”
On what other people said to him while he thought about his decision
“The consensus is always for a college athlete to stay in school because there is more time to get better. A lot of people that I respect said staying would benefit me, but it is my decision and I feel I am in a great position to explore my opportunities.”
On the reports of the 1998 NBA Draft being weak
“I cant explore this option with out hearing that Im being called a big man and its a weak draft for big men. Im just trying to take in as much information as possible to help me reach this decision.”
On the chance of an NBA lockout
“There is a chance of that. But there is also a chance for them to settle for a year and have a lockout next year. Chances go either way.”
On the criticism by NBA scouting director saying Mohammed is not ready
“A lot of people said I wasnt ready for Kentucky basketball. I think I came here and did a good job. The University has done a lot for me, and in turn I think I have done a lot for the University.”
On being labeled a project freshman year and now being a possible early entry into the NBA Draft
“No one expected this. I dreamed of a day like this, but I cant say that I ever expected it.”
Coach Orlando “Tubby” Smith Comments
Opening Comments
“I know this has been a tough decision for Nazr. We want to do all that we can to be sure that we explore every opportunity for him to have the best and reach his dream of playing in the NBA. It is at this time when the NBA allows a player to put his name in the draft and remove it before the draft actually takes place. So it will be an area that hell explore and we will be helping him in anyway possible. He has accomplished a lot here and in looking around and talking to a lot of people in the NBA, they talk about Nazr going as high as 11. So that is a real positive. Then again, we want him to stay around but we understand and appreciate everything he has done for the University of Kentucky and this program. But, whatever happens we will wish him the best.”
On what type of advice he told Mohammed
“Every situation is different. Certainly I believe that Nazr should stay, but that is just my opinion. Hes got to make his own decision. Its like in recruiting. No one can tell him where to go to school. This is the same type of situation. We talked about that. Everybody knows what is best for him, but only Nazr, in his heart and mind, can come to a decision.”
On the process NBA scouts will have access to Mohammed
“What we will do is they will come through us. Most of them will come here because he cant receive any benefits. He cant receive any renumeration, whether travel or food. Otherwise, he will lose his eligibility. So we are going to work it through our offices and our compliance office.”
On the 1998-99 Kentucky squad without Nazr Mohammed
“We feel very comfortable with the team we have here. Obviously, we think have a good nucleus of returning players. We lost three seniors Jeff Sheppard, Allen Edwards and Cameron Mills and now losing Nazr who was the second leading scorer, leading rebounder, one of the top shot blockers in the league and led the way in field-goal percentage. He ended up one of the top four in school history in that category. So he means a lot to our program. But we tell our players that there is no one person or thing that is bigger than the program. But we feel were fine with Jamaal Magloire, Michael Bradley coming on at the end of last year, then the class we have signed with Jules Camara and the return of Heshimu Evans, as well as, the development of our other freshman like Myron Anthony. Theyve now tasted success and have a year under the system to adjust. We feel that we will have a very good team, although it would be better if Nazr stayed.”
On the possibility of Nazr Mohammed returning for his senior season
“You never give up hope on them. Hes my man.”
