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California Freshman Abdur-Rahim Tearfully Declares For Nba Draft

Compiled From Wire Services

California forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim became the second freshman to declare his eligibility for the NBA draft Tuesday, tearfully declaring his family obligations outweigh personal desires.

The 6-foot-10 Abdur-Rahim, who led the Pac-10 with 21.1 points per game this season, said he struggled in recent days to make his decision and finally chose the NBA just hours before his announcement.

He joins Stephon Marbury of Georgia Tech as freshmen eligible for the June 26 draft. Two high school players and 13 other underclassmen also have made themselves available in the draft. Jess Settles, a junior from Iowa, and Jeff McInnis, a junior from North Carolina, also declared on Tuesday.

“I’m not doing this for any selfish reasons. This is not for me,” Abdur-Rahim said, tears streaming down his cheeks. “If I was in this world by myself, I’d stay at the University of California. My mom has sacrificed for me all my life, and so has my father.”

Assistant basketball coach Joe Bryant resigned from La Salle University to follow the career of his son, Kobe, in the NBA, the university announced. Kobe Bryant, a 6-6 forward honored as the national prep school player of the year by several organizations, announced April 29 that he would skip college to enter the NBA draft.

Brad Greenberg, a former executive with the Portland Trail Blazers, is the new general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, NBA sources told the Associated Press. The hiring is to be announced today at a news conference at the Spectrum. Greenberg, who was interviewed Tuesday by 76ers president Pat Croce, is to replace John Lucas as general manager. It was not known if Lucas will be retained as coach.

Coach Phil Jackson was selected the NBA’s coach of the year after leading the Bulls to a record 72 wins this season. Jackson also won coach of the year honors by the Sporting News.

The Bulls’ Michael Jordan was picked as player of the year by the Sporting News. Toronto guard Damon Stoudamire was voted the league’s top rookie.