All-American Forward Wants To ‘Be Like Mike,’ Enters Nba Draft Early

All-America forward Jerry Stackhouse announced Monday he is giving up his final two years of eligibility at North Carolina to enter the NBA draft.

“I will go to the NBA with the utmost confidence that I’ve been with two of the best coaches teaching me the right way to play the game,” Stackhouse said, referring to UNC coach Dean Smith and Paul Jones, his coach at Kinston High School.

Smith said he has been assured by NBA observers that Stackhouse will be among the top five players selected in next month’s draft. He also said Stackhouse will return to North Carolina, starting with summer school, to complete his work toward a degree.