The deadline for underclassmen to declare themselves eligible for the NBA draft was Sunday. It's a cut-and-dried scenario for high school players - either you're going to college or you're trying your luck in the NBA. But once the decision is made and the deadline passes, there's no going back. You cannot change your mind. College basketball is out of the question.

That leads me to Sumter County High's (York, Ala.) Mario Austin, who, by the way, isn't related to me. The 6-foot-9 senior forward, who was a McDonald's High School All-American this year, signed a letter of intent to play at Mississippi State University. By this past Sunday, he had to decide if he wanted to be part of the Bulldogs' program next season or go for the big bucks in the NBA.

So, what did Austin decide? I don't know. Nobody seems to know. I hope Mario knows. But from the reports, I'm not so sure.

On Sunday, the Associated Press reported Austin was going to Mississippi State because he received the necessary qualifying score on the ACT. They even had a quote from Austin.

"I wanted to go to school from the start," Austin told the AP. "I thought about (the draft), but I need to go to school. I'll have a chance to better myself as a person and work on my game."

Good for him. College is a great opportunity for someone who isn't sure about what they want to do with the rest of his life. And he was right; playing for the Bulldogs, even if only for a few years, would help prepare him for the NBA.

But by yesterday, national media outlets were reporting Austin was headed for the draft. FoxSports.com reported Austin changed his mind and declared himself eligible. The only quote in the short story was the same one Austin gave to the AP. There was absolutely nothing in the report that served as evidence he was headed for the NBA.

Next up was ESPN.com. Bill Hodge also reported Austin declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. And he even used a quote to substantiate his story.

"I was going to stay," Austin told Hodge, "but I changed my mind after I talked to my mother. She wants me to do what's best for me. I talked to the assistant coaches at Mississippi State and they told me not to go (to the NBA), but I'm looking out for myself."

That's quite a change from what Austin had told the AP one day earlier. But that's fine. He has an opportunity to make millions of dollars playing professional basketball. I don't know who could turn down that offer. I wouldn't.

So it was decided Austin was apparently going pro. But I wasn't about to take Bill Hodge's word for it. Just to make sure, I called the NBA headquarters in New York City. They wouldn't release the official list of early candidates until Friday (strike one). Someone at Austin's high school should know. The athletic director did not return any of my phone messages, and his high school counselor, Shirley Guy, said, "he's going to the University? (strike two). Mississippi State should have some idea. If Austin is going to college, like his academic counselor says he is, State could tell me. But Anne Cooke, at the media and public relations office, said, "they haven't received any information today" (strike three).

With all of that information and a deadline I've already missed, I give you this: Mario Austin will be playing basketball somewhere next year. That's all I know for certain, so that's all I will report.