Slaughter to apply for draft


By Ed Graney
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
March 15, 2005

San Diego State basketball player Marcus Slaughter will apply for early entry into the NBA draft, the player's father confirmed yesterday.

The 6-foot-8 Slaughter just concluded his sophomore season by averaging 17.8 points and nine rebounds.

He will not hire an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning for his junior season.

"We won't do anything that can damage his eligibility in the least," said Dwight Slaughter. "He will continue going to school and being a good student and do all his working out at (SDSU). We think it's best to test the waters and see whether or not the NBA people think he is ready to make the jump.

"If the (NBA) people say it's smart to go back and play another year of college, that's what he'll do."

Slaughter must officially tell the NBA of his intentions by May 10. After that, the next most important step would be securing an invitation to the Chicago predraft camp, June 7-10.

The deadline to withdraw is June 21. The draft is a week later in New York.

"I have told Marcus that I will talk to NBA coaches and general managers – people I know well – and tell him exactly what they are thinking about him," said SDSU coach Steve Fisher. "That is what I intend to do."

Underclassmen can only declare for the draft and return to school once. If Slaughter does return and then reapplies after next season, he forfeits all collegiate eligibility.

I mentioned him before but no one said anything. He just applied for the draft. He might not come out because he is trying to hold on the eligibility. He's testing the waters.

Kid is nice...he has good court presence and he has a nice active body. He has a nice long and lean body. I thought he stood out more than Danny Granger did when they played in their conference final.

Check out his stats:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=15639
He is right up there with all the other swing men already on the draft bubble. I like him alot.