ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 30, 1996 TAG: 9604300089
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: AMHERST, MASS.
SOURCE: Associated Press
The Massachusetts athletic department has a brochure it sends to alumni asking them for money. ``UMass Athletics,'' it reads, ``better than a million bucks.''
Marcus Camby had his choice and took the latter on Monday, passing up his senior season and a chance at an NCAA championship to make himself eligible for the NBA draft and the riches available to him there.
``I feel I'm ready to begin my life-long dream of playing in the NBA,'' the college basketball player of the year told a packed news conference at the Mullins Center. ``I will never leave UMass in my heart. A big part of me will always be here.''
The 6-foot-11 Camby is expected to be one of the top three picks in the June 26 draft - perhaps even No.1 overall, depending on which of the other NCAA underclassmen join him in the draft.
Also Monday, high school senior Kobe Bryant announced he's skipping college altogether to enter the NBA draft. The 6-6 forward, national player of the year according to several publications, is expected to be among the top 10 prospects.
The top pick can make $9.1 million over three years under the NBA's rookie salary cap.
Asked if that made the NBA too tempting to pass up, Camby said: ``Next year I'd still be the No.1 pick with that same three years and $9.1 million out there. So it doesn't make much difference.''
But he also cited a desire to provide for his family.
``I know my mother deserves better than what she has right now,'' he said. ``So I took that into consideration also.''
Still, Camby said he would leave the door open to return to college if he changes his mind or if he's drafted by a team he doesn't like. As long as he doesn't hire an agent, his eligibility remains intact.
But coach John Calipari put the chances of his star center returning at one in one million. ``The chances of that are slim and none,'' he said, while commending Camby for leaving his options open.
After an unexplained collapse at midseason that sidelined him for several games, Camby was given medical clearance to play and finished the season without further physical problems. He led the Minutemen to their first trip to the NCAA Final Four, averaging 20 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots to earn every major player of the year award.
UMass, ranked No.1 for most of the season, lost to eventual champion Kentucky 81-74 in the NCAA semifinals as Camby scored 25 points with eight rebounds and six blocked shots.
In three years with Camby, UMass posted a 92-14 record, including a 9-0 record in the Atlantic 10 tournament and an 8-3 mark in the NCAA Tournament.
Despite his collegiate accomplishments, the trophies of which were displayed on the table beside him, Camby is considered too skinny to play center in the NBA and likely is more suited for power forward.
``Length is strength,'' he said. ``I'm not going to try and gain 40 pounds and play center. That's not my natural position.''
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. UMass center Marcus Camby may be the top pick inby CNBthis year's NBA draft, scheduled for June 26. color. KEYWORDS: BASKETBALL