The final image of the highlight video on the Shoemaker Center scoreboard at the end of the University of Cincinnati's banquet Tuesday night was coach Bob Huggins with his arm around point guard Kenny Satterfield.

        Minutes later, the scene was repeated live and in person before Satterfield left the building.

        The 6-foot-2 sophomore, who has decided to give up his last two years of college eligibility to turn pro, spoke to the media Tuesday night for the first time since telling Huggins of his decision.

        “It was very hard,” Satterfield told the Enquirer. “I know if I came back next year we'd have a great shot of making it to the Final Four. (And) you get real close to some of the guys in college. Most of the guys on the team are like my best friends, so it's hard to leave your friends behind.

        “But I also had to make a decision for me and my family, so I had to go with the one I made.”

        Satterfield was UC's No.2 scorer (14.4 ppg) and led the team in assists for the second straight year. He said that when the season ended, he did not know what he was going to do. He changed his mind several times.

        “I just kept going back and forth,” he said.

        The deciding factor?

        “Just wanting to be a professional and make my dream come true,” Satterfield said. “I can see myself playing (in the NBA). I think anybody imagines that who plays basketball. You've got to see it before you do it. I think that's what happened to me.”

        Satterfield said he probably will sign with Los Angeles-based agent Dan Fegan, who represents several former Bearcats, including Kenyon Martin, but that he has not signed yet.

        He planned to go to Los Angeles to continue to lift weights and work out.

        “It's very exciting,” Satterfield said. “You know you're working toward your goal and you've just got to keep working hard at it.”

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