 "Photo: Peter Franklin")
D.J. Augustin finally made up his mind, and it looks like he's going pro.
He might not be going alone. Teammate A.J. Abrams also declared Wednesday for the June 26 NBA Draft in New York City. Neither players have hired agents, though it appears more likely that Abrams will be back in a Texas uniform for his senior season.
The door is still open for Augustin to change his mind, but his words suggest otherwise.
"I have had a great experience here at the University of Texas," he said in a statement. "All I can say is 'thank you' to my teammates, coaching staff and fans that have supported us during my two years at Texas. I have matured a lot as a person, both on and off the court. I have dreamed of playing in the NBA since I was a little boy, and I am ready to start living this dream."
The first-team All-American scored 19.2 points per game, second in the Big 12 to Michael Beasley, who is also headed for early entry into the NBA. Both are projected to be lottery picks, but Augustin's position is far more tenuous. During the NCAA Tournament his production dropped and he hit only four of 18 shots when the Longhorns fell to Memphis in the Elite Eight. Each of Memphis' starting five have declared for the draft, meaning the contest is something of a preview of the competition Augustin can expect in the NBA.
Undersized at 5-foot-11, Augustin will try to be a rare sub-6-foot point guards who succeeds in the pros. At the college level, he was the best there was and earned a Bob Cousy award to prove it. His 5.8 assists per game led the Big 12.
Augustin was also a first-team academic All-American, and he said on Monday that school was still important to him.
"If I stay or if I don't, I'm always going to be good at academics," he said.
It appears that, unless he gets injured before the June 16 deadline to withdrawal, he'll be gone.
"We are so thankful for the opportunity to have been around an individual like D.J. for the last two years," Texas coach Rick Barnes said in the statement. "As good as he is on the basketball court, D.J. is an even better person off the court."
Barnes wasn't available to comment on Abrams' decision to declare for the draft. The junior shooting guard said his career at Texas isn't necessarily over.
"Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid," Abrams said in a statement. "Right now, I have the opportunity to test the waters to see where I stand. If I'm comfortable with where I feel I'll be drafted, I'll stay in the draft. If not, I'll be back for my senior year."
Abrams holds the Longhorns team record for career 3-pointers and his defense has improved dramatically since coming to Texas. His size - like Augustin, he doesn't break the 6-foot mark - will be an issue as will his one-dimensional offensive game. Last season Abrams attempted 115 more 3-pointers than the Longhorns' second-most eager long-range shooter.
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