| | Associated Press
AUSTIN -- University of Texas All-American center Chris Mihm
said Friday he will skip his senior season and enter the NBA draft.
Mihm, 20, was facing a Sunday deadline to make a decision and
said it was one of the "toughest decisions I've ever had to make
in my life."
|  | | Chris Mihm is one of the few true centers in this year's NBA draft. |
Projected as a top-five pick in the June 28 draft, Mihm said his
draft status played a big role in his decision.
Mihm can change his mind once the draft lottery is determined if
he has not signed yet with an agent. But, Mihm said he will begin
interviewing agents immediately and indicated he has no intentions
of retuning to the University of Texas.
"My plan is to fully devote my time into going into the
draft," Mihm said at a news conference Friday morning.
Mihm took his time making his decision as he considered whether
to spend another year with Barnes, who Mihm credits with making him
a better player. Barnes arrived at Texas after Mihm's freshman
year.
Barnes, who sat next to Mihm at the news conference, said he did
not tell Mihm whether he should stay at Texas or declare for the
NBA.
"I told him, I couldn't make that decision for him," Barnes
said. "I do believe he's just scratched the surface of his
talent."
Considered the best pure center in college basketball last
season, Mihm averaged nearly 18 points and more than 10 rebounds as
Texas went 24-9 and cracked The Associated Press Top Ten for the
first time since 1982. Mihm was the first Longhorns' player named
All-American.
Along the way, every team has scouted Mihm, and with his
improved repertoire of moves in the post -- including a soft hook
and a consistent turnaround jumper, he is considered a sure lottery
pick.
But some have questioned his toughness and whether he is
mentally ready for the pro ranks. A recurring image for Texas fans
from the Longhorns' NCAA tournament loss to Louisiana State is when
Stromile Swift blocked Mihm's dunk that would have tied the game in
the final two minutes.
Newspaper reports Friday said Mihm told Texas coach Rick Barnes
of his decision Thursday.
Mihm's decision was influenced by interest shown in him by Jerry
Krause, the Chicago Bulls' vice president for basketball
operations. The Bulls' second-worst record in the NBA this season
and have a lottery pick in the draft.
The Austin native becomes the 24th underclassmen to leave school
this spring. There have been reports in recent days that
Cincinnati freshman guard Kenny Satterfield and Providence
junior center Karim Shabazz will also be heading to the NBA.
Mihm joins Minnesota's 7-1 Joel Przybilla as the only two true
centers in the draft. Jerome Moiso of UCLA is not strong enough
to bang with the NBA's big men and high school star Darius Miles
and Ernest Brown of Indiana Hills Community College have yet to
be tested by strong competition.
| |
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 Chris Mihm talks about entering the 2000 NBA draft.
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