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Rick Pitino: Russ Smith '50-50'
Russ Smith's future may not be resolved after all.
On Monday night, the Louisville star's father initially told reporters that his son had planned to enter the NBA draft following his team's run to the national title in Atlanta. Smith confirmed his father's statement when he told SiriusXM "College Sports Nation" radio hosts Mark Packer and Bruce Pearl that "this is the right time" the following day.
But Rick Pitino, who had also confirmed Smith's departure at the team's pep rally earlier this week, said Thursday morning that the junior guard is still on the fence about going pro.
"Russ, I think, is 50-50," he told Sports Radio 790 in Louisville. "He's a very confused young man in terms of his decision right now. He didn't want his dad to say that about him coming out. He wanted time to think of it."
Smith struggled to find his shot in his team's 82-76 victory over Michigan in the championship game. He went 3-for-16 and scored nine points. But he averaged 22.3 PPG overall in the NCAA tournament.
The NBA's early-entry deadline for the draft is April 28. Per NCAA mandate, however, players with remaining eligibility must withdraw from the draft by Tuesday (April 16) to preserve it.
Russ Smith's future may not be resolved after all.
On Monday night, the Louisville star's father initially told reporters that his son had planned to enter the NBA draft following his team's run to the national title in Atlanta. Smith confirmed his father's statement when he told SiriusXM "College Sports Nation" radio hosts Mark Packer and Bruce Pearl that "this is the right time" the following day.
But Rick Pitino, who had also confirmed Smith's departure at the team's pep rally earlier this week, said Thursday morning that the junior guard is still on the fence about going pro.
"Russ, I think, is 50-50," he told Sports Radio 790 in Louisville. "He's a very confused young man in terms of his decision right now. He didn't want his dad to say that about him coming out. He wanted time to think of it."
Smith struggled to find his shot in his team's 82-76 victory over Michigan in the championship game. He went 3-for-16 and scored nine points. But he averaged 22.3 PPG overall in the NCAA tournament.
The NBA's early-entry deadline for the draft is April 28. Per NCAA mandate, however, players with remaining eligibility must withdraw from the draft by Tuesday (April 16) to preserve it.
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