Sooners' Griffin to enter NBA draft

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin will give up his final two years of eligibility and head to the NBA after a sophomore season that ended with him being recognized as college basketball's top player.

Griffin announced his decision Tuesday at a campus news conference alongside coach Jeff Capel, saying it was time to take his game to the next level.

Griffin helped the Sooners win 30 games in a season for only the fifth time in school history, shattering the school records for double-doubles and rebounds along the way.

"It's tough to walk away from something like this but at the same time, it's a big opportunity and I felt like I was ready for it this year," Griffin said.

After declaring last year that he would stay at Oklahoma for at least one more season, Griffin said he wanted to be able to contribute immediately in the NBA before he would turn pro.

For him to feel like he was "100 percent sure" that he was ready, he said he'd probably have to be in line to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Griffin couldn't have done much more to make his case for that spot.

He was honored by The Associated Press and several other groups as college basketball's player of the year after leading the nation with 30 double-doubles and 14.4 rebounds per game while also averaging a Big 12-best 22.7 points. In the NCAA tournament, he was even better -- averaging 28.5 points an 15 rebounds to lead the Sooners to the regional finals, where they lost to eventual national champion North Carolina.

"This is the right decision. In my mind, it's a no-brainer," Capel said. "It wasn't a decision to really debate because it's the right one, and it's the best thing for Blake."

Griffin got to spend two more seasons playing alongside his older brother, Taylor, after the two teamed up to win back-to-back state championships in high school. At Oklahoma, they helped rebuild a program that was on shaky ground because of NCAA sanctions left over from Kelvin Sampson's telephone recruiting scandal.

Had Griffin decided to stay, it would have added another layer to Oklahoma's unprecedented feat of having the Heisman Trophy winner and the AP men's basketball player of the year in the same year. Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford already passed up the chance to make an early jump to the NFL after his sophomore season, and he and Griffin could have both returned for another year of college.

Kentucky's Meeks to test draft, without agent

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks will submit his name for the NBA draft, but will not hire an agent.

Meeks, a junior, averaged 23.7 points for the Wildcats last season. He poured in a school-record 54 points in a win over Tennessee in January. He was selected a second-team All-American for the Wildcats, who went 22-14.

Last week, Meeks wasn't sure about coming back for his senior year after Kentucky hired John Calipari to replace Billy Gillispie as head coach. Calipari says he'll sit down with players to discuss their future with the program.

Meeks has until June 15 to remove his name from the draft list and keep his remaining year of eligibility.

Arizona's Budinger declares for NBA draft

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona junior forward Chase Budinger says he is hiring an agent and will make himself available for the NBA draft.

Budinger made the announcement on Tuesday, the same day Sean Miller was introduced as the new Arizona coach. Budinger averaged 18 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and averaged 19 points in the Wildcats' three NCAA tournament games.

Budinger says he felt he was ready for the move.

Junior center Jordan Hill would not say whether he also would turn pro, but there is widespread speculation he will.

Point guard Nic Wise says he will make himself available to the draft but won't hire an agent. That means he can still change his mind and return for his senior season.

South Carolina's Downey to test draft

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina junior Devan Downey says he will make himself eligible for the NBA draft.

Tuesday's decision doesn't guarantee the guard is leaving the Gamecocks early. Downey says he will not hire an agent, meaning he can choose to return to school if he wants.

South Carolina coach Darrin Horn says he will help Downey collect information to see how high in the draft he might be picked.

By declaring for the draft early, Downey can work out for NBA teams and get advice about his draft standing.

The 5-foot-9 Downey was a team all-Southeastern Conference this season, led the league in steals and averaged 19.8 points a game.

The Gamecocks finished with 21 wins, just missing the NCAA tournament.

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