The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Charlie Villanueva, who starred with LeBron James in high school all-star games this year, withdrew from the NBA draft Friday, one of 27 early entries to drop out.

He joins 7-foot-4 Russian Pavel Podkolzine, considered a potential lottery pick, among the dropouts.

Villanueva, who is from Brooklyn, N.Y., and attended Blair Academy in New Jersey, said he will play in college for the University of Connecticut.

The 6-10 Villanueva, who in the McDonald's all-star game converted two alley-oop dunks off passes from James, originally intended to go to Illinois but changed his mind when coach Bill Self moved to Kansas.

The 18-year-old Podkolzine learned this week he has a pituitary gland disorder that will require surgery and decided to return to Varese in the Italian League.

Some high-profile juniors decided to return for their senior seasons including Andre Emmett of Texas Tech, Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's, Marcus Moore of Washington State, Ricky Minard of Morehead State, Jason Parker of Tulsa and Brian Polk of Temple. Chris Thomas of Notre Dame will return for his junior season.

Also on the list of pullouts were two other players viewed as possible first-round choices - 6-9 Viktor Khryapa of Russia and 6-10 Anderson Varcjao of Spain.