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Wednesday, May 2, 2001
Wallace retains option of returning to 'Bama
Associated Press
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama freshman Gerald Wallace, who passed on the NBA last year when he was a high school star, has made himself available for the June draft.
Wallace said he hasn't signed with an agent but will return for his sophomore year at Alabama only if it appears he won't be a first-round pick.
"I don't think that will happen," said Wallace, who plans to work out for NBA teams next month.
Wallace was Naismith's national player of the year as a senior at Childersburg High School. He spent most of last season as Alabama's sixth man, averaging 9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds and leading the team with 42 steals.
The 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward started only two games and saw his average dip to 6.3 points per game in Southeastern Conference games.
"This is my dream to play in the NBA," Wallace told The Birmingham News in a story Thursday. "I feel I'm ready. It's just something I've always wanted, deep down in my heart, to do. If I have this opportunity now, why not take it?"
"College prepared me for the NBA," said Wallace, who is still enrolled in classes. "I felt I was ready coming out of high school, but I didn't have the experience of playing against guys better than me."
Underclassmen who declare for the draft but haven't signed with an agent can remove their names by a week before the June 27 draft.
Wallace said it was up to him to do well in the individual workouts for NBA teams to be a first-round pick. "It's all on my shoulders," he said.
Wallace felt he was misused as a power forward by Alabama coach Mark Gottfried.
"That's like taking Shaq [Shaquille O'Neal] and moving him to two guard and expecting him to produce," Wallace said.
He said there were "no hard feelings."
"I'm just a player. I don't question the coach's judgment," Wallace said.
Gottfried said he wants "what's best for Gerald, what's best for his future." He said he hopes Wallace "continues to evaluate" his options before making a final decision on turning pro.
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ALSO SEE
Vitale: Wallace needs more time at 'Bama
Early NBA draft entries
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