HOUSTON -- High school star guard Gerald Green has hired an
agent after applying last month for early entry in the NBA draft.
The 6-foot-8 shooter from Houston's Gulf Shores Academy picked
Andrew Vye of Atlanta-based Kauffman Sports Management, Green said
in a release Monday.
"I believe their commitment to me as a player and to my career
will be consistent," said Green, ranked the nation's top player by
recruiting Web site Rivals.com. "They have served in an advisory
capacity and always respected the decision-making process of our
family."
The move means that Green, 19, has forfeited his college
eligibility. He signed with Oklahoma State in November and said he
has informed the school of his decision.
Green graduated from Gulf Shores on Saturday. He said getting a
college degree remains a priority and that he plans to earn a
degree "through distance programs."
Green averaged 33 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists last
season, and shot better than 60 percent from 3-point range.
His draft stock improved after he scored 24 points and won the
slam-dunk contest at the McDonald's High School All-American game
March 30.
Before that game, Green said, he hadn't seriously considered
making the jump to the NBA. But after that performance, speculation
grew that Green would be this year's only high school lottery pick
-- one of the first 14 players selected in the June 28 draft. Some
analysts predict that he could go as high as the third pick.
The top pick is guaranteed a three-year contract worth $10.8
million, and the 14th player selected is guaranteed a three-year
contract worth $3.8 million.
Green applied for early entry into the draft last month and said
that he would hire an agent if it appeared that he would be a
lottery pick.
He averaged 33 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists last
season, and he shot better than 60 percent from 3-point range.
Vye told Houston television station KRIV that his client will
attend the NBA predraft camp June 7 in Chicago but will not work
out.