BASKETBALL UConn's Gordon to skip senior year for NBA

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) -- Connecticut guard Ben Gordon is forgoing his senior year and making himself eligible for the NBA draft, The Journal News of New York reported today.
The Hartford Courant also reported on its Web site that Gordon will turn pro.
Gordon, projected as a possible Top 10 selection, will make the announcement in Storrs, Conn., today. He averaged a team-leading 18.5 points for the Huskies and helped lead them to the national title.
"It's time," Gordon told The Journal News. "I had a great experience at UConn, but I'm ready for what's next. I knew this is what I wanted from the beginning of the season, so why wait?"
UConn coach Jim Calhoun has said Gordon is ready for the NBA.
To be eligible for the June 24 draft, an underclassman must send a letter to the NBA by May 10. A player with eligibility remaining who has not signed with an agent must withdraw from draft consideration by June 17 to return to his college team.
In the NCAA tournament, Gordon averaged 21.2 points in six games.
"I think I've answered all the questions," he told The Journal News. "Now I want to go to the next level and see what I can do there. I know it's going to be a challenge but I've prepared myself. I talked it over with Coach, and we're all on the same page."
Gordon's teammate Emeka Okafor is also facing a decision about whether to skip his senior season.
The junior center will graduate early this May, and has hinted at entering the NBA draft.