AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas sophomore point guard T.J. Ford will announce his intention to enter the NBA Draft at a news conference this week, a source close to the basketball program.
"He has to go," the source said. "He's going to be a top-10 pick. After the season he's had, he could only hurt (his standing) by staying another year."
UT basketball spokesman Scott McConnell said he was working on arrangements for today but declined further comment.
Players must declare their intentions for the draft by May 12. They may then withdraw if they have not hired an agent, but that is unlikely in Ford's case. The order of the June 26 draft will be determined in a lottery May 22 among the 13 teams with the worst records.
An official from one NBA lottery team has said that if the 5-foot-10 Ford is available, his team will take him.
"If he does decide to do it," another said, "he's coming out at the right time. The mid-to-late lottery looks pretty bleak."
Some NBA scouts who have observed Ford believe he would benefit by another year in college to work on his strength and outside shooting. But in the modern NBA, many teams are willing to let a player develop in the league.
Ford already brings uncommon passing and play-making skills. His quickness, personality, marketability and strong character are also points in his favor.
"He's a premier point guard in the draft," one NBA official said. "Some question his size, but no one questions his quickness. His outside shot needs to become more consistent, but that will come.
"People look at the winning factor, and he's a proven winner. He can get into the paint and create for teammates, and that's especially important with the zone (defense)."
The diminutive player with the big smile arguably had an unparalleled impact on the Longhorns' program in two seemingly short years.
In his initial season, he led Texas to the Sweet 16, became the first freshman in NCAA history to lead the nation in assists (8.27 per game), and was voted the Freshman of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
This past season, Ford won the Naismith and Wooden awards as college basketball's Player of the Year. He averaged a career-high 15 points and 7.7 assists in leading the Longhorns to their first Final Four since 1947. He was voted the most outstanding player in the South Regional in San Antonio and shared the team's MVP honors with junior guard Brandon Mouton.
In just two years he will exit ranked No. 2 all time in UT assists (527) and owner of the top two individual seasons (273 and 254) in the program's history.
Just his signing as the No. 1 player in the state out of Sugar Land Willowridge helped thrust Rick Barnes' program into prominence.
"There's no question," Barnes said this year, "(T.J.'s signing alone) had a big impact on the program."
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