<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">UA junior guard Mustafa Shakur officially declared for the NBA draft Wednesday without jeopardizing his college eligibility. Shakur is currently not projected as a first-round NBA pick, but he can attempt to improve his stock through workouts this spring and has until June 21 to withdraw his name if he decides to return to school. In order to maintain his eligibility, Shakur cannot sign with an agent and must pay most travel expenses while maintaining academic progress at the UA. "I think this is a good opportunity to further showcase my skills," Shakur said in a UA statement. "I'm keeping my options open, but I'm looking forward to showing people exactly the type of player I am." NCAA rules allow players to test the draft process once during their college careers without penalty, as UA senior guard Chris Rodgers did last spring. Jason Gardner also went through the pre-draft process in 2001 before returning to Arizona for two more seasons. "Obviously, we're hoping (Shakur) is going to return," UA coach Lute Olson said in a statement. "He would be one of our captains next year and he has done a great job of providing leadership in the weightroom and on the floor already this off-season. I'm happy that he is completing his coursework and not hiring an agent. That way he will be able to come back if he decides that it's the best thing for him." Shakur finished last season with averages of 11.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.5 steals with an assist-turnover ratio of 1.75. He finished the season with two strong NCAA tournament games in his hometown of Philadelphia, making 13 of 24 field-goal attempts, with 38 combined points and 14 assists to just five turnovers. UA associate head coach Jim Rosborough has said early entrants face a risk, as Gardner found in 2001, of exposing weaknesses to NBA scouts. Gardner struggled in the 2001 pre-draft camp while Rodgers was not invited to the 2005 camp. "The biggest thing is he needs to keep his option open to come back here," Rosborough said. "I hope Staf turns out OK and I hope he comes back. We've given him the facts. I want him to stay, but I also don't have any hidden agenda." </div> Source
