Miami sophomore guard Shane Larkin, a likely first-round pick, will declare for the NBA draft.
Larkin's father Barry, the Hall of Fame baseball player and ESPN analyst, said Friday that his son indicated to him he will announce his intentions to declare. Shane Larkin scheduled a Sunday 6 p.m. ET news conference at the university, but that could be moved up now that his decision is known.
Sunday is the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft. Under new NCAA rules, once a player officially declares he cannot return to school.
"All indications are he's going into the draft, unless he has
an epiphany," the elder Larkin told The Associated Press. "All of the information he
has received is that this is the time for him to come out. He's not
100-percent committed. He wants to talk to the coaches first. But
if nothing changes, he's going to declare for the draft."
Larkin averaged 14.5 points, 4.6 assists and 2.3 turnovers in leading the Hurricanes to unprecedented ACC regular-season and tournament championships. The Canes reached the Sweet 16 before losing to Marquette.
Larkin was a front-runner for ACC player of the year honors, but the award went to Erick Green of last-place Virginia Tech. Larkin was named a second-team AP All-American.
Miami will be rebuilding next season under third-year coach Jim Larranaga. The Hurricanes also lose seniors Durand Scott, Trey McKinney-Jones, Reggie Johnson, Kenny Kadji and Julian Gamble.
NBA advisers have told the 5-foot-10½ Larkin they project him to
be drafted somewhere from the middle of the first round to early in
the second, Barry Larkin said.
"It's a business decision at this point," the elder Larkin
said.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.