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Tue June 19, 2007

Time to MoveOn for Curry

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JamesOn Curry has supplied Oklahoma State with plenty of excitement over the past three seasons . Monday, the senior-to-be announced his plans to make himself available for the NBA Draft. BY MATT STRASEN, THE OKLAHOMAN
Three questions and answers
Will Curry come back if he isn't drafted?

Curry said Monday that he will not return to OSU if he isn't drafted, and that he will play in a summer league and try to make a roster that way.

That said, can he change his mind and return to school?

Curry hadn't hired an agent as of Monday, but there could still be other NCAA eligibility issues if the would-be senior had a change of heart.

According to the NCAA, players lose eligibility if they have accepted benefits from an agent, not paid all expenses in conjunction with professional tryouts as they occurred, or tried out with a pro team during the academic term. Curry and other players returning would likely be subject to NCAA inquiry.

How did Curry's teammates react to his decision to leave?

Most if them hadn't heard the news as of Monday afternoon, but none were surprised when informed. All of them wished Curry luck and congratulations.

By Andrea Cohen

What they're saying about Curry
"I know people keep saying if I came back I could be a first-round pick next year, but you don't live for tomorrow. You live for today.”

— JamesOn Curry

"JamesOn is a scoring guard. But if he could become more of a point guard I think that will take him even further. Being a point guard that can score the way he can, it would be unbelievable to have a combination like that with any team.”

— Chris Paul

"Good for him. He had the opportunity, and it showed, so he took it. I'm proud of him; I wouldn't pass it up either. I'll miss him because he was my best friend on the team, but I'm proud of him.”

— Terrel Harris

"I want to wish him congratulations. He's got a chance. As a team, we understand we have to fill in for him. We really don't have a J.O. on the team. I'm going to have to step up, Obi (Muonelo) is, the new guys are.”

— Marcus Dove

Compiled by Andrea Cohen and Darnell Mayberry

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By Andrea Cohen
Staff Writer
STILLWATER — JamesOn Curry did not withdraw his name from the NBA Draft, and the Oklahoma State guard said Monday that even if he goes undrafted he will not return to school for his senior season.



"I know people keep saying if I came back I could be a first-round pick next year, but you don't live for tomorrow,” Curry said. "You live for today.”

It has seemed likely for the last couple of weeks that Curry would keep his name in the draft, which is June 28. The guard, who averaged 17.3 points last season, hasn't worked out with his teammates and didn't work the OSU basketball camps the last two weeks. However, because he hadn't hired an agent it seemed possible that he might return to school if he wasn't selected in the draft.

Monday, Curry said he still hadn't hired an agent, but he will play on a summer league team and try to make a roster if he isn't drafted.

"Nah, I'm not coming back,” Curry said. "I'm going to graduate for Miss Marilyn (Middlebrook, OSU Associate Athletic Director of Academic Affairs), that's important to me, but right now I'm going to pursue my dreams.”

It is possible that he would have NCAA eligibility complications if he decided to return to school, much like Kentucky's Randolph Morris did last year.

Curry said his dream of playing professional basketball, and not a desire to leave Stillwater, prompted his decision. He also said, "money wasn't the issue.”

OSU coach Sean Sutton, who tried several times last week to convince Curry to stay, spoke highly of the combo guard.

"We've thoroughly enjoyed having JamesOn as a part of the Cowboy basketball family,” Sutton said. "I appreciate the many contributions that he's made to our program. He's a special young man who is a terrific basketball player. He also excelled in the classroom during his time in our program.”

Curry came to Stillwater after a scholarship offer to North Carolina was rescinded due to a drug conviction. Curry was on probation until this year.

"I finally got off probation and I'm feeling good, I'm feeling confident,” he said. "I got that monkey off my back, and I'm ready to go out and work hard and hopefully I'll get drafted. Hopefully, those three years (at OSU) did good.”

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