CARDINALS

U of L's Harrell and Rozier are NBA-bound

Jeff Greer
Louisville Courier Journal

Sophomore Louisville guard Terry Rozier has decided to leave school early and declare for the NBA draft, his mother confirmed to The Courier-Journal on Monday.

Rozier, the Cards' leading scorer at 17.1 points per game this season, told The Courier-Journal last week that he would need time after the season to consider his options. And after Sunday's region final loss to Michigan State, Rozier again said he wanted two weeks to rest, relax and contemplate his future.

But on Monday, U of L coach Rick Pitino said Rozier's decision is tied to family concerns.

"Terry looks at home and sees his mom working two jobs, and she's going 16, 17 hours a day," Pitino told reporters Monday. "And he says, 'OK, maybe I wouldn't be drafted as high as I would be if I waited one more year, but I'd rather sacrifice that for my mom not having to work two jobs.'"

Junior forward Montrezl Harrell, who participated in "senior day" activities in U of L's final home game of the season, also plans to enter the draft as expected, Pitino said.

"They're both leaving, yes -- 100 percent," Pitino said. "And it's the right thing to do for both of them. You all may have some doubts about Terry, but I don't."

Pitino maintained all season that both players were playing their final campaign with the Cardinals, and that they are both first-round talents.

Harrell, a 6-foot-8 post who flirted with entering the draft after season, spent his junior year working on his jump shooting, passing and ball handling, and he said over the weekend that he has improved and become a more well-rounded player. Some projections have Harrell, who averaged 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds this season, among the draft's top 20 spots.

Rozier, though, is a different story. After a solid freshman season as an apprentice to All-American Russ Smith, Rozier put together a string of strong summer workouts at various showcase camps across the country. Buzz built around his NBA future, and the sophomore entered this season with high expectations.

In many ways he lived up to them. Not only was he Louisville's leading scorer, he also led the team in assists and steals. He was second on the team in rebounding, grabbing 5.6 a game. He scored double-digit points in 33 of Louisville's 36 games and had three double-doubles.

He also struggled with his shooting, particularly in February. He shot 41.1 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from 3-point range. In eight February games, Rozier shot just 33.3 percent, making 42 of his 126 field-goal attempts.

But Pitino said Monday that Rozier is an explosive player who will do well with the NBA's 24-second shot clock. His defensive skills, Pitino added, will help his stock, too.

"Like I told him, 'The (NC State) game before didn't get you drafted any higher, and the poor game you just played (vs. Michigan State) didn't get you drafted any lower,'" Pitino said. "'You're going to workouts and you'll have to perform.' And I believe he will."

Rozier told The Courier-Journal on Sunday that he has been dealing with a sore left knee since last summer. A sharp pain persisted in his kneecap, Rozier said, likely from a tight quadriceps muscle in his thigh.

He wore a sleeve on his leg to keep his muscles warm and loose, and he played 35 minutes a game this season without missing a contest. Pitino said if the knee pain was anything serious, he would have heard about it from team trainer Fred Hina, but he did not.

Rozier plans to use the next two weeks to rest. He was hopeful the pain would subside before he starts working out again in mid-April.

"In those two weeks, I'm just going to rehab my knee and relax my body," Rozier said.