Out at U., eligible for NBA

It was no surprise that Andrew Bogut called a press conference Monday afternoon to confirm what everybody has suspected for weeks — that he's forgoing his final two years of basketball eligibility at the University of Utah to enter the NBA Draft.

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.