California

According to the Alameda Times-Star, California junior center DeVon Hardin has announced that he will withdraw his name from the NBA Draft and return to the Golden Bears for his senior season. "It'd probably be in the early to late 20s, in that range," Hardin said. "The kind of thing I was hearing was that I was in the mix with a couple guys. That means there's no guarantees. "I feel like I can make that even better if I go back to school." He added that it was not an easy choice to make. "It was a very difficult decision, especially getting down to the wire," Hardin said. "I got some pretty good offers as far as this year, but always Cal was the first option. I feel pretty good. I made my decision. I've got to accept it and make the best of it." Coach Ben Braun was excited about Hardin’s decision. "Obviously, I'm happy for us, but I'm happy for DeVon," he said. "It's not an easy decision for a young man to make. I think it takes a lot of courage, it takes a lot of foresight." The announcement comes on the heels of a San Francisco Chronicle report that said Hardin was planning on hiring an agent. Michael Hardin, DeVon’s father, told ESPN.com on Monday afternoon that "the report was inaccurate. We have pulled his name out." Hardin averaged 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last season over the first twelve games, before missing the last 22 contests with a stress fracture in his left foot.

According to the Oakland Tribune, California junior center Devon Hardin is likely to return to the Golden Bears for his senior season, rather than keep his name in the NBA Draft. "Unless I'm that No.1 (overall) pick, Cal is going to be a top option for me," Hardin said. “That's what my mind-set is right now. I'm working out right now and looking forward to coming back to Cal. That's the only certain answer you can get from me." He is excited about the chance to lead Cal to the Big Dance. “I want to take my team deep into the (NCAA) tournament, maybe to the Final Four, be a lottery pick,” Hardin said. “I expect great things from this (2007-08) team.” Hardin is projected by most mock drafts to be drafted in the latter part of the first round. He averaged 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last season over the first twelve games, before missing the last 22 contests with a stress fracture in his left foot.