Azubuike plans to place name in NBA draft

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Kentucky junior swingman Kelenna Azubuike plans to put his name in the NBA draft, according to his coach, Tubby Smith.<br> <br> Smith told the Lexington Herald-Leader on Monday that he is advising Azubuike not to retain an agent so the player can keep his options open, including a possible return to Kentucky next season.<br> <br> Kentucky athletics department spokesman Scott Stricklin said Tuesday that he had not recently spoken with Azubuike or Smith. Stricklin said the university would make an official announcement ``when everything is final.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Azubuike led the Wildcats in scoring (14.7 points per game) and was second on the team in rebounding this season (4.7 per game). Kentucky finished 28-6 and lost to Michigan State in double overtime in an NCAA tournament regional final.<br> <br> If Azubuike does place his name in the draft, it wouldn&#39;t be his first flirtation with the NBA.<br> <br> During his senior season at Victory Christian School in Tulsa, Okla., Azubuike openly spoke about jumping straight from high school into the NBA, but instead chose to sign with Kentucky. He scored 3,530 points during his prep career, second-best in Oklahoma history, and averaged 39.1 points and 13.3 rebounds per game as a senior.<br> <br> Other Kentucky players in recent years also have explored their NBA options. Keith Bogans entered the draft after his junior season in 2002, then chose to return to Kentucky for his senior season and led the Wildcats to a regional final.<br> <br> Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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