Telfair to join his cousin in the NBA

Sebastian Telfair took the advice SI offered in its March issue. Michael J. LeBrecht II/Deuce3 Photography

NEW YORK (AP) -- Brooklyn basketball sensation Sebastian Telfair has declared his eligibility for the NBA Draft.

The move ends months of speculation about the future of the 18-year-old point guard who had committed to Louisville. The projected first-round pick signed with an agent and picked up a six-year endorsement deal with Adidas. Telfair says it's worth more than $15 million.

The 6-foot Telfair would become the shortest high school player ever selected in the draft. He moved up the projected draft board considerably after a spectacular senior season at Lincoln High School, earning a McDonald's All-American appearance and a Sports Illustrated cover story.

He outplayed possible No. 1 draft pick Dwight Howard in a February game against Southwest Christian Academy, scoring 30 points and hitting a game-winning three-pointer as time expired.

He finished his high school career with a New York state record 2,755 points and three consecutive championships in the city's public school league, two more than his cousin Stephon Marbury.

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