Georgia Tech freshman enters NBA draft, but won't hire agent

<p>Georgia Tech forward Thaddeus Young entered his name in the NBA draft, but he hasn't hired an agent and his coach expects him to return for his sophomore season.</p><p>The 6-foot-8 forward submitted his name to learn more about his status from NBA personnel leading up to the June 29 draft, coach Paul Hewitt said Tuesday.</p><p>Hewitt pointed out that Young is focusing on final exams, which begin Monday, and plans to take classes this summer.</p><p>"I think the way he's conducting himself, he's planning on being in school unless somebody tells him something that could really change his mind," Hewitt said.</p><p>Young has until June 18 to withdraw from the draft and retain his college eligibility.</p><p>"I'm enjoying my experience at Georgia Tech, both with the basketball program and in school," Young said in a statement released by the school. "Right now, my focus is in finishing out this semester and then gathering more information from the NBA people."</p><p>Young tied for the team lead in scoring, averaging 14.4 points. He and freshman point guard Javaris Crittenton helped the Yellow Jackets to a 20-12 record and a berth in the NCAA tournament. They were knocked out in the first round by UNLV.</p><p>All along, Young said he would consider leaving school if he was projected as a lottery pick. But most mock drafts have him going anywhere from 14th, the end of the lottery, to the mid-20s.</p><p>If not for the NBA's new rule requiring players to wait at least one year after graduating from high school before entering the draft, Young might already be in the pros. He was projected to go higher in the draft after his prep career in Memphis, Tenn.</p><p>Hewitt said Young did not want to discuss his decision until he completes final exams. However, his father discussed the situation with a Memphis television station.</p><p>"They have a few teams out there that could use a small forward, and we want to see if his name will be in that number," Felton Young told WPTY. "If not ... we'll withdraw his name and send him back to school."</p><p>Crittenton has until Sunday to decide whether he will enter the draft. Hewitt said the point guard hasn't made up his mind.</p><p>As for Young, the coach expects him to be back next season.</p><p>"He's going to make an educated decision," Hewitt said. "If you were going to judge it, you would say this kid is coming back to school."</p>