MINNEAPOLIS -- Rick Rickert has withdrawn from classes at Minnesota and says he doesn't see a scenario in which he'll be back as a Golden Gopher.

"I have an opportunity I don't want to pass up,'' Rickert told the Star Tribune about entering the June 25 NBA draft.

Earlier this month, Rickert announced he was declaring for the draft after two seasons with the Gophers. However, Rickert said he's not signing with an agent, allowing him to pull out of the draft and return to college at any point before June 18.

It's clear, however, the Duluth native who averaged 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season doesn't expect to use that option.

Rickert, who is at a sports training facility in Bradenton, Fla., to prepare for pre-draft workouts, said Wednesday he has pulled out courses at Minnesota.

When asked if he envisioned a scenario in which he would return to the Gophers, Rickert told the Star Tribune: "No.''

Rickert's father, Lew, said earlier this week that pulling out of the draft is little more than a last resort.

"We're still thinking we need an option, an ace in the hole in case it doesn't work out,'' Lew Rickert said. "I don't see that happening.''

Rickert's decision to withdraw from school is significant because players entering their third season of college basketball must have completed 48 credits to be eligible. If Rickert pulls out of the draft, he would have significant work to do.

"It's not insurmountable,'' Gophers coach Dan Monson said. "But it would be difficult. He has the ability to do it.''

But Monson doesn't expect Rickert to return.

"The first time we ever sat down with him, back when he was in high school, he said his goal was to go to two years of college and try to make it to the NBA,'' Monson said. "The thing that makes Rick such a great player is his tremendous belief in himself.

"We're very realistic about it. There's a slight crack in the door, but we're not holding our breath.''

Rickert certainly is doing his best to prepare for the future. On Monday, he left for a performance training facility operated by the mammoth sports agency IMG. Working out with former Duke forward Dahntay Jones and Louisville guard Reece Gaines, Rickert is training full time in an effort to get stronger and faster.

He hopes to add a minimum of 10 pounds to his 220-pound frame while working out in Florida for at least a month.

"I'm trying to improve my lateral quickness, and they want me to use my butt to be more explosive so I can guard,'' he said. "I've been working muscle groups I didn't know I had.''