Prep star to enter NBA draft

NEW YORK — Brooklyn basketball sensation Sebastian Telfair declared his eligibility for the NBA draft on Tuesday, ending months of speculation about his future.

The 18-year-old point guard, a projected first-round pick, had committed to Louisville but signed with an agent and picked up a six-year endorsement deal with Adidas. Telfair said it was worth more than $15 million.

"I'm on cloud-40 right now," Telfair said. "My dreams have come true and all my goals have come true."

At 6-feet, he would become the shortest high school player ever selected in the draft, a challenge Telfair is prepared for.

"I've been dealing with my size all my life," Telfair said. "It hasn't stopped me yet and it's not going to stop me now."

Telfair moved up the projected draft board considerably after a spectacular senior season at Lincoln High School, earning a McDonald's All-American appearance and a Sports Illustrated cover story.

He outplayed possible No. 1 draft pick Dwight Howard in a February game against Southwest Christian Academy, scoring 30 points and hitting a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.

In a nationally televised game, Telfair scored 27 points despite spraining his ankle in a victory against nationally ranked Edgewater.

He finished his high school career with a New York state record 2,755 points and three consecutive PSAL championships, two more than his cousin Stephon Marbury.

"There's a huge smile on my mother's face," Telfair said when asked about his decision to jump to the NBA. "And that makes me feel good."

On Monday, three high school players said they will enter the NBA draft, although none will hire an agent.

J.R. Smith of St. Benedict's in Newark, N.J., Al Jefferson of Prentiss (Miss.) High School and Shaun Livingston of Peoria (Ill.) Central High School announced their intentions to turn pro.