Wednesday, March 29, 2000
UC's Johnson not in class, weighs NBA
To decide by end of week
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Bearcats guard DerMarr Johnson is expected to make a decision by the end of the week about whether to return to UC for the 2000-01 season or enter the NBA draft.
A 6-foot-9 shooting guard who averaged 12.6 points as a freshman, Johnson has spent the past several days at home in Maryland discussing the issue with his mother and other family members.
“He's trying to figure out what it is he wants to do,” said Curtis Malone, who was Johnson's coach with the D.C. Assault club team.
Malone said Johnson needs to speak with UC coach Bob Huggins before making his decision. The university began classes for its spring quarter this week.
In his first season at UC, Johnson ranked third among the Bearcats in scoring and led the team in 3-point field goals. He shot 47.5 percent from the field and scored in double figures in 23 of 32 games. His season high was 23 points, but he topped 20 only three times.
Following the injury to Kenyon Martin in the Conference USA tournament, Johnson scored six points in two of the Bearcats' three remaining games.
Johnson has been projected as a likely first-round pick if he decides to enter the draft, although there may be the possibility of moving closer to the top of the first round next season if he were to return to UC and have an outstanding season.
Of the past 12 U.S. players who entered the draft with one or fewer years of college experience, only forward Jonathan Bender and guards Larry Hughes and Lamar Odom were chosen among the top 10 picks.
Malone said he has not contacted NBA teams to determine Johnson's draft status. He said he expects Huggins will make such calls.
“Based on the year and the end of the year, to me going to school isn't bad,” Malone said. “But ultimately it's going to be his decision. He's getting of the age where he can make his own mind up.
“Last year, I was able to say, "This is what you need to do, and this is what you've got to do.' Whatever decision he makes, we'll just support it.”
Hedging against the possibility of Johnson turning pro, UC is continuing to recruit potential replacements and has targeted two junior-college guards: Monte Cummings of NJCAA champion Southeastern Iowa and Immanuel McElroy of Tyler (Texas).
Cummings made the all-tournament team at the JC national tournament after scoring 12 points in the title game and 17 points in the semifinal. He also is considering Georgia.
McElroy, who is 6-4, 190 pounds, averaged 20 points and eight rebounds for Tyler this season. He's expected to decide between UC and UNLV.
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