Out at U., eligible for NBA
Bogut's parting shot: he's making a $125K donation
The only real surprise of the afternoon was that the 7-foot Australian showed up looking so natty in a black pin-striped suit, a white shirt and a red-striped tie, an outfit he had purchased just minutes before at the Big and Tall shop down on State Street.
Flanked by two agents from SFX Basketball Group and coach Ray Giacoletti, Bogut read a prepared statement, then answered questions from the assembled media at the Huntsman Center lounge.
"I feel the time is right for me to move on," he said. "Anybody who knows me knows this decision isn't about the money. I was offered a lot of money to play in Europe prior to this season. If it was about money, I would have left before my sophomore year. My decision is based on what is best for my basketball career."
Bogut said he's been "90 percent sure" about turning pro for the past month or so but didn't want to cause a distraction to his team's successful season by talking about it. He thanked everyone from his coaches to his teammates to the Ute fans to his parents, who attended the press conference, sitting on the front row.
Giacoletti called it a "special day for a special young man" and said he fully supports Bogut's decision.
"This is not a sad day, it should be a joyous day," he said.
"Andrew has done everything he can do at the college level, and it will be fun for all of us at the University of Utah to watch him grow in his NBA career over the next 10 to 15 years."
When Giacoletti got the Utah job a year ago, he got to know Bogut for a few weeks before flying to Australia to meet with his parents. After getting a commitment from Bogut to come back for another year, Giacoletti had a good idea it might be the only year Bogut would play for him.
"A year ago we talked about how we'd give him a hug and shake his hand and wish him the best, and that day has come," Giacoletti said.
Bogut said he loved his time in Utah, calling it the "best two years of my life on the basketball court and off" and that "Salt Lake City will be in my heart forever." He also said he'd love to stay here next year as a member of the Utah Jazz if things work out.
"Obviously I'm comfortable here," he said. "That would be a great situation for me."
Bogut said he will be in town for a couple of more weeks before going to Washington, D.C., where he'll work out with a trainer from SFX to get in top shape before the NBA Draft in June.
At first Bogut tiptoed around a question of whether he'd attend NBA pre-draft camps, before his agent, David Bauman, spoke up and said "no," Bogut would not go to any of those camps.
Comments
- Stocks fall 7:57 a.m.
- 1 dead at Pamplona 7:49 a.m.
- Somali insurgents behead 7 people 7:42 a.m.
- Obama: Recovery 'a ways off' 7:39 a.m.
- May trade deficit drops to $26B 7:33 a.m.
- 400,000 flee homes after quake 7:22 a.m.
- Funds for new courthouse approved 1:48 a.m.
- Godfrey vetoes Ogden budget 1:48 a.m.
- Odd Fellows Hall move 1:47 a.m.
- 2 country groups to perform 1:47 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- AK will not play for Russia this summer
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
136 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
134 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
89 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
75 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70 - Letters: Time for a revolution
69
Real Salt Lake striker Yura Movsisyan travelled to Europe over last...
Two California high school receivers have given the University of Utah
The recent Poly camp in Bountiful opened the eyes of recruiters to at...
re:nasty conservative philosophy | 7:04 a.m. July 10, 2009 "As a liberal I...
Give me a break. The plan was in place and there was a safety issue. It's...
Congress holds the purse strings of this nation. When money is allocated to...
The building should have been torn down months ago. It is a complete waste...
Boozer's offense wasn't missed? Then maybe you can explain why the Jazz...
I was there in Provo for the Stadium of Fire on the Fourth. As for the fake...
Ha ha ha, Brad Pelo, you fooled us even though you never technically said the...
For government to tackle health care is a devastating blow to our economy and...
Dave is a great guy and a great worker. The unsung hero on the Saratoga Farm...
Could you explain, oh wise one, how the temperature of the earth is derived?...




You can be the first to comment on this story.