southsider2k5 Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 By Bob Sakamoto Tribune staff reporter Illinois basketball fans can forget about 6-foot-10-inch high school all-American Charlie Villanueva, who had given an oral commitment to former Illini coach Bill Self, now at Kansas. Villanueva submitted his name Friday for the NBA draft, but he will not hire an agent. That way he will keep an option to withdraw from the draft by the June 19 deadline and remain eligible to play in college. If so, he will choose between Kansas and Connecticut. "Charlie is going to set up some private workouts with NBA teams to show what he can do," said older brother Robert, a 6-6 junior who plays for Queens College in New York. "It will give him a chance to find out where he might be picked in the draft." Helping Charlie Villanueva evaluate his draft prospects are summer AAU coach Gary Charles and Adidas consultant Sonny Vaccaro. "I'm pushing for Charlie to sign with Kansas or UConn before he starts working out for NBA teams," Charles said. "That puts him in a win-win situation. "If he decides to withdraw from the draft, he will be all set for college. Both of those schools are holding a scholarship for him. "It's so hard to predict right now where Charlie might get picked. "There are 10 players from Europe expected to come out for the draft. We will either travel around for workouts with NBA teams or conduct a session at a central location and invite the teams." Villanueva averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds last season for Blair Academy, a prep school in Blairstown, N.J., and was rated the No. 5 senior in the country by FutureStars magazine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxfest Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 He will play at KU next year ..book it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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