EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Sophomore guard Marcus Taylor continued the exodus of Michigan State players headed for the NBA when he declared himself eligible for the 2002 draft Tuesday.

A native of Lansing, Taylor led the Spartans in scoring at 16.8 points a game and assists at 5.3 a game during the 2001-02 season. In Big Ten Conference games, he averaged 17.7 points and 5.0 assists, both league highs.

"It's not that I'm in a big hurry to leave MSU, because I have great respect for the coaches, players and university," Taylor said. "I've enjoyed my collegiate experience, especially the great support from the support body."

Taylor said he has not hired an agent, which means he could return to college should he not be happy with his draft position. He intends to participate in the predraft camps.

"I think that Marcus is going to test the waters,' Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "He's going to go to the camps and figure out what his options are. He's going to play against some of the competition and not sign an agent, which was specified by his family. And once it's all said and done, as players have done in the past, decide whether he is going to stay in the draft or opt out."

Under Izzo, the Spartans made the Final Four three consecutive years, winning the NCAA championship in 2000. That type of success attracts great recruits, many of whom have no intention of playing four college years.

Last year, the Spartans lost guard Jason Richardson and forward Zach Randolph, both of whom left after their sophomore seasons and were selected in the first round.

"Becoming an NBA player has been one of my goals for a long time," Taylor said. "I think everyone should look at all available options. By going to the workouts and testing my skills against other potential draft picks, I'll have an opportunity to see where I am as a basketball player."

Izzo met with Taylor and his family Monday to discuss the situation.

"The meeting with Marcus happened yesterday and the tone was great. I kind of had a feeling that he may do this. When you obtain some records such as he's one of only two players to lead the conference in scoring and assists and that puts you in a different category. I think he is looking at the players out there and feels he can compete with any of them," Izzo said.

"I think, as we all know, it is a trend that is disturbing to some and exciting to others, and one that worries me some but excites me in some ways," Izzo said about underclassmen opting for the NBA draft.

Sports Ticker contributed to this report.