Rhode Island loses top player

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 18, 1999

The Associated Press

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- With the blessing of his coach and some advice from Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom left Rhode Island on Monday after just one season to enter the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-10 forward is giving up two years of eligibility and is certain to be among the top picks -- if not the No. 1 choice -- for the June 23 draft. Odom denied being pressured by relatives to pursue the millions awaiting him in the NBA. But it was a consideration. "I'm a man now and I'm ready to take care of the family," he said at a news conference, flanked by his father, Joe Odom, his grandmother and an aunt. Odom said he listened to a suggestion from Bryant, who went straight from high school to the Los Angeles Lakers two years ago. That advice, Odom said, was to make his own decision. Standing at the sophomore's side, Rhode Island coach Jerry DeGregorio said: "I told Lamar to follow his heart. Lamar has my blessing." The 19-year-old player notified the NBA on Sunday, the deadline for the draft. He is one of 16 early-entry players, joining such stars Ron Artest, William Avery, Elton Brand, Steve Francis and Richard Hamilton. One high school player has applied, Jonathan Bender of Picayune, Miss. Unless he hires an agent, Odom can pull out of the draft by June 23 and return to college ball. Last year, Odom entered the draft, then pulled out after he was admitted to Rhode Island. Odom led Rhode Island in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (9.4) last season. The Rams (20-13) lost to North Carolina-Charlotte in the first round of the NCAA tournament. "I've been swinging back and forth," Odom said. "Jerry being on the job here made it that much harder for me to turn away. The hardest thing is leaving the school, leaving all my friends, leaving Jerry." Said senior forward Antonio Reynolds-Dean: "I think he's ready for the NBA."