Hendrix opts for Alabama over NBA draft

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) The state&#39;s Mr. Basketball, Richard Hendrix, will play for Alabama instead of entering the NBA draft.<br> <br> The 6-foot-9, 225-pound Alabama signee, a McDonald&#39;s All-American from Athens High School, had considered heading straight to the pro ranks if he thought he would be an early draft pick.<br> <br> ``It came down to a point that I would have to do a lot of travel and stuff, like the kind I did with the all-star games,&#39;&#39; Hendrix said. ``I decided that I didn&#39;t want to pursue that kind of lifestyle right now.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Hendrix&#39;s father and high school coach, Venard Hendrix, said his son always intended to play for the Crimson Tide.<br> <br> ``He was just checking out his options,&#39;&#39; Venard Hendrix said. ``The decision to go to Alabama never changed.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Hendrix would have been drafted ``probably at end of the first round or start of the second round&#39;&#39; if he went pro, his father said.<br> <br> Early entrants must declare for the draft by May 14 but have until June 21 to pull their name out of the draft eligible list. Hendrix didn&#39;t wait that long and plans on beginning classes at Alabama in June.<br> <br> Hendrix was the Tide&#39;s most high-profile signee, choosing Alabama over national champion North Carolina.<br> <br> He averaged 22.7 points and 13 rebounds in leading Athens to the Class 5A Final Four.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)