George O'Brien
ASFN Icon
Charlotte Observer: Deng hopes to be top-5 pick
Duke freshman declares for draft, pending projection
RICK BONNELL AND KEN TYSIAC
Staff Writers
Duke's Luol Deng would like to be a top-five pick in the NBA draft.
The Charlotte Bobcats, who pick fourth, might be in position to oblige him. A team source said Tuesday Deng would definitely be considered if he is available at No. 4, but added he is no lock to be the Bobcats' first choice.
Deng and coach Mike Krzyzewski released a statement through Duke's sports information office announcing Deng has declared himself eligible for the draft, which will be held June 24 in New York.
Deng, a 6-foot-8 forward who just completed his freshman season, will not immediately hire an agent and has until June 17 to withdraw from the draft and preserve his college eligibility.
His father, Aldo Deng, said the family wants to see where his son is likely to be drafted before deciding for sure to leave Duke.
"If he is in the top five, that is a high pick. ... Coach K (Krzyzewski) has stated, then he goes," Aldo Deng said by telephone from London. "If it's that high a pick, a high pick, he can go."
Several NBA scouts said recently there is no consensus third-best candidate behind Connecticut's Omeka Okafor and Atlanta high school star Dwight Howard, so picks 3 through 10 could line up in numerous ways based on the draft order.
Based on the expansion agreement with the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats get the fourth spot in the draft.
"The guy never takes a play off. He works his tail off. But when he goes to the next level, how will it work out?" the Bobcats source said on condition of anonymity.
"I like the kid. We've got to seriously consider him. But is he quite quick enough? We know his basketball IQ and his skills are terrific."
Deng was Duke's second-leading scorer (15.1) and rebounder (6.9), and was named most outstanding player of the Atlanta Regional after leading Duke to the Final Four.
He was unavailable for comment because Duke is in final exams, but said in a statement he will continue to gather information to make the best possible decision regarding his future.
"I am pleased that this portion of the process is over," Deng said. "The opportunity to pursue a career in professional basketball has been a dream of mine."
NBA scouts say Deng could go as high as third, behind Okafor and Howard, and no lower than seventh, regardless of how teams line up in the draft lottery.
The Bobcats are leery of selecting a high school player with the fourth pick, because that player will be under so much scrutiny as the franchise's first-ever selection.
That likely leaves the Bobcats looking hard at four prospects: forwards Deng and Josh Childress of Stanford and guards Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's and Devin Harris of Wisconsin.
Nelson is a senior and Childress, a junior, plans to enter the draft with the option to pull his name.
Harris, also a junior, hasn't announced his intentions but is reportedly looking hard at turning pro.
Deng and Childress would be the most direct comparison, as both are 6-8 and best suited to play small forward as pros.
Scouts say Childress is the more athletic of the two. However, Deng plays longer, because of his wingspan, and is likely stronger, weighing 220 pounds to Childress' 205.
Krzyzewski supported Deng's decision and is no stranger to early NBA departures. Six players -- William Avery, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette in 1999 and Carlos Boozer, Mike Dunleavy and Jason Williams in 2002 -- have left Duke early for the draft.
"Based on our information, it is apparent that he will be a high pick in this year's NBA draft," Krzyzewski said in a statement. "We will thoroughly examine any available information and utilize our resources here at Duke to help Luol make a decision that is best for him and his family."
Aldo Deng said it is important to have Krzyzewski's support and said it would have been a "disaster" for the family if Duke didn't support Luol. He was pleased when Krzyzewski's statement was read to him over the phone.
"We want to express also the support that coach K and the basketball department and Duke have given to Luol," Aldo Deng said. "That was big support for a freshman, and Luol knows it. That's big support. That appreciation must be expressed explicitly."
Duke freshman declares for draft, pending projection
RICK BONNELL AND KEN TYSIAC
Staff Writers
Duke's Luol Deng would like to be a top-five pick in the NBA draft.
The Charlotte Bobcats, who pick fourth, might be in position to oblige him. A team source said Tuesday Deng would definitely be considered if he is available at No. 4, but added he is no lock to be the Bobcats' first choice.
Deng and coach Mike Krzyzewski released a statement through Duke's sports information office announcing Deng has declared himself eligible for the draft, which will be held June 24 in New York.
Deng, a 6-foot-8 forward who just completed his freshman season, will not immediately hire an agent and has until June 17 to withdraw from the draft and preserve his college eligibility.
His father, Aldo Deng, said the family wants to see where his son is likely to be drafted before deciding for sure to leave Duke.
"If he is in the top five, that is a high pick. ... Coach K (Krzyzewski) has stated, then he goes," Aldo Deng said by telephone from London. "If it's that high a pick, a high pick, he can go."
Several NBA scouts said recently there is no consensus third-best candidate behind Connecticut's Omeka Okafor and Atlanta high school star Dwight Howard, so picks 3 through 10 could line up in numerous ways based on the draft order.
Based on the expansion agreement with the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats get the fourth spot in the draft.
"The guy never takes a play off. He works his tail off. But when he goes to the next level, how will it work out?" the Bobcats source said on condition of anonymity.
"I like the kid. We've got to seriously consider him. But is he quite quick enough? We know his basketball IQ and his skills are terrific."
Deng was Duke's second-leading scorer (15.1) and rebounder (6.9), and was named most outstanding player of the Atlanta Regional after leading Duke to the Final Four.
He was unavailable for comment because Duke is in final exams, but said in a statement he will continue to gather information to make the best possible decision regarding his future.
"I am pleased that this portion of the process is over," Deng said. "The opportunity to pursue a career in professional basketball has been a dream of mine."
NBA scouts say Deng could go as high as third, behind Okafor and Howard, and no lower than seventh, regardless of how teams line up in the draft lottery.
The Bobcats are leery of selecting a high school player with the fourth pick, because that player will be under so much scrutiny as the franchise's first-ever selection.
That likely leaves the Bobcats looking hard at four prospects: forwards Deng and Josh Childress of Stanford and guards Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's and Devin Harris of Wisconsin.
Nelson is a senior and Childress, a junior, plans to enter the draft with the option to pull his name.
Harris, also a junior, hasn't announced his intentions but is reportedly looking hard at turning pro.
Deng and Childress would be the most direct comparison, as both are 6-8 and best suited to play small forward as pros.
Scouts say Childress is the more athletic of the two. However, Deng plays longer, because of his wingspan, and is likely stronger, weighing 220 pounds to Childress' 205.
Krzyzewski supported Deng's decision and is no stranger to early NBA departures. Six players -- William Avery, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette in 1999 and Carlos Boozer, Mike Dunleavy and Jason Williams in 2002 -- have left Duke early for the draft.
"Based on our information, it is apparent that he will be a high pick in this year's NBA draft," Krzyzewski said in a statement. "We will thoroughly examine any available information and utilize our resources here at Duke to help Luol make a decision that is best for him and his family."
Aldo Deng said it is important to have Krzyzewski's support and said it would have been a "disaster" for the family if Duke didn't support Luol. He was pleased when Krzyzewski's statement was read to him over the phone.
"We want to express also the support that coach K and the basketball department and Duke have given to Luol," Aldo Deng said. "That was big support for a freshman, and Luol knows it. That's big support. That appreciation must be expressed explicitly."
