Durant dives into draft

By the look of his Texas tank top and shorts, Kevin Durant might have fooled someone into thinking he’d changed his mind. Was it a hint he might stay in college?

No chance. The kid is leaving for the NBA.

Durant, an 18-year-old freshman and the Associated Press Player of the Year, said Tuesday in Austin, Texas, he will leave the Longhorns to enter the June draft, bringing a quick end to what was a short but spectacular college career.

“I just thought it was time to go,” Durant said at a news conference to announce his decision. “It’s been my dream for a while. I felt I was ready.”

After an All-America season in which he swept the major player of the year awards, few expected Durant to stay at Texas.

Now the question is whether he’ll be the first player drafted. Durant and Ohio State freshman Greg Oden – who has not yet said if he’ll leave college – are considered the likely first two picks.

“I know I’ll be one of the higher picks. It doesn’t really matter if I go one or two as long as I go,” Durant said.

Afflalo declares

UCLA All-American Arron Afflalo is passing up his senior year to enter the NBA draft.

Afflalo, who averaged 16.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists and led the Bruins to consecutive Final Four appearances, announced his decision at a news conference in Los Angeles.

The 21-year-old junior from Compton, Calif., isn’t allowed to return to school after having declared last year also.