i edited the article to keep it relatively short but usf still has a good chance with this guy. our recruiting class so far has been good by our standards, brumbaugh signing would make it the best in our history and just in time for big east play.

Brumbaugh plans to follow his dream

By BRIAN MCLAUGHLIN
PREP EDITOR

Last update: May 21, 2005


DELAND -- Before a throng of media Friday, Keith Brumbaugh once again confirmed his choice to test the waters of next month's NBA Draft.

He let the media know that if the next few weeks of workouts don't go his way -- if he doesn't feel he'll be drafted -- he'll definitely pull out of the draft by the June 21 deadline and choose a college. As long as he has not hired an agent, which he hasn't so far, he can opt to keep his amateur status.

"I've decided to declare for the NBA draft, as you all well know," Brumbaugh said in DeLand's gymnasium. "If everything goes right in Chicago, I intend to keep it in there. If not, then I have three colleges in mind -- South Florida, Florida and USC, and possibly Oklahoma State."

Brumbaugh is one of 12 high school players who have declared for the draft. Sportsillustrated.cnn.com ranks him 10th among the prep players and lists him as "unlikely to get drafted."

If he ends of going the college route, Florida's chances are slim, because the school may not have a scholarship available -- unless underclassman Matt Walsh, who declared several weeks ago that he would also test the NBA draft waters -- actually does choose the NBA. Walsh also has not hired an agent -- leaving the option to return to school.

Brumbaugh doesn't worry about the naysayers and said that some scouts have told him he could be drafted in the low first round or high second round. He declined to name the scouts.

"If I do bad, I'd take my name out of the draft," Brumbaugh said of the next month of workouts. "But if I stay, I'll feel that I'll have enough security to be at least in the first round." [B]

You guys started to play pretty good basketball at the end of the year. You gave us a tough game in Freedom Hall and you got to the C-USA Semifinials beating UC along the way. Hopefully Mac can build something down in Tampa. You are in a good location and now you have this conference to draw recruits to.