NBA notes: Meeks, Teague going to NBA; Harangody staying in school

Jodie Meeks is taking his long-range game to the NBA. Luke Harangody decided to return to college for his senior year and a chance to become the leading scorer in Notre Dame history.

The deadline for underclassmen who had declared for the NBA draft but did not hire agents to withdraw was Monday.

Meeks, the slick shooting 6-foot-4 guard from Kentucky, Wake Forest point guard Jeff Teague, Gonzaga forward Austin Daye and Texas A&M forward Chinemelu Elonu were among the notable players who chose to remain draft eligible.

Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez and Georgia Tech power forward Gani Lawal joined Harangody in withdrawing their names and will return to school. Meeks led the Southeastern Conference in scoring and was eighth nationally with 23.7 points as a junior for Kentucky. He had declared himself eligible for the draft but did not hire an agent, leaving the door open to return to the Wildcats and their new coach John Calipari.

TURKOGLU WILL BECOME FREE AGENT: The agent for Hedo Turkoglu told The Orlando Sentinel on Monday that the Orlando Magic small forward will opt out of his contract and become a free agent in two weeks. "It would make sense for him to opt out," Lon Babby, Turkoglu's agent said by phone. "I can't imagine a scenario in which he would not."

The Magic, fresh off an appearance in the NBA Finals, will be challenged to keep their core group together with Turkoglu and center Marcin Gortat testing the free-agent waters. The Magic already have tied up Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson to large, long-term deals.

The club can make the point moot if they re-sign Turkoglu before he officially announces he will opt out of his contract on June 30, the first day would-be free agents can declare.

LAIMBEER RESIGNS, HOPES TO LAND NBA JOB: Bill Laimbeer resigned as coach of the WNBA champion Detroit Shock three games into the season Monday in hopes of landing an NBA job. Assistant Rick Mahorn, a teammate of Laimbeer's from their Detroit Pistons days, was promoted to coach. Cheryl Reeve will remain an assistant and become the general manager.

Laimbeer was hired as coach of the Shock in 2002 and led them to three titles in six years.

76ERS' IVEY BECOMES FREE AGENT: Philadelphia 76ers guard Royal Ivey has declined his player option for the 2009-10 season and has become an unrestricted free agent. Ivey played 71 games in his only season for the Sixers. He averaged 3.0 points and 1.1 rebounds and had 36 steals.