Stuckey will test NBA draft waters

As expected, Eastern Washington basketball star Rodney Stuckey will declare for the NBA draft but not hire an agent, making him eligible to return to the Eagles next season if he withdraws his name by June 18.

“It is a good option,” he said Wednesday afternoon in a release from the school.

“It’s the best thing for me to do and get feedback with where I would be in the draft. … I still have the option to come back to school, but it’s still a good thing to hear what people have to say.”

Stuckey chose not to address the media but will be available this afternoon.

“This is very exciting for Eastern basketball and Rodney,” Eagles coach Mike Burns said. “This gives him the best chance to accumulate information and make the best decision for him and his family.”

It was also confirmed that guard Michael Taylor, who started 25 games as a true freshman, is leaving the school.

“He’s been cleared, everything’s done, he’s outta there,” Taylor’s father Tim confirmed.

“Michael is looking at some basketball/baseball options,” Burns said. “He’s a gifted baseball player. I’ve know that’s something he still might want to pursue. I understand. He’s a tremendous kid and phenomenal athlete.”

Stuckey earned honorable mention All-American honors for both his freshman and sophomore seasons when he led the Big Sky Conference in scoring at more than 24 points a game.

He is enrolled in school and is working out with his teammates.

“I’m still part of the team, I’m working out with (my teammates), doing individual work and attending class here at Eastern. I’m a regular student here,” he said. “I really don’t like having a lot of spotlights on me. I’m kind of a low-key guy. I’m just trying to make things as normal as they can be.”

Though he was an academic non-qualifier coming out of Kentwood (Wash.) High School, Stuckey has a 3.34 grade point average and is on schedule to graduate in June 2008.

He has applied for student housing for next fall, according to sources, and has always said he would get his degree.

“It’s really important,” he said. “I’ll be the first person to graduate from college in my family. That would be a good accomplishment. Secondly, I always promised my mom that no matter what happens I will get my degree. In case basketball doesn’t go the way it is supposed to go, I will have something else to fall back on.”

He has also earned academic honors after his first two seasons.

USA Basketball has invited Stuckey to tryout for the PanAm team in July, according to Burns.

“The neat part about this story is that no matter what, it has a happy ending,” Burns said.

As for where Taylor will end up, his father said, “We’re in the process of figuring that out.”

He said there has been contact with Montana, Gonzaga, Portland State and Seattle Pacific.

No reason for his decision was given.

“I’m not going to talk about it,” Tim Taylor said. “It had nothing to do with playing time because he started 25 games and averaged 25 minutes.”

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 5.7 points on 44 percent shooting. He had 54 assists and 41 turnovers.

Although Taylor was a standout baseball player for Brewster, his father said, “He wants to play basketball. If baseball works in (that’s fine), but he’s a basketball player.”

Taylor is the second player to leave from last year’s 15-14 team, although he will finish out the school year. No longer enrolled in school is Omar Krayem, a junior college transfer who started 13 games and averaged 8.4 points.

Burns said his staff is still out recruiting and expects to add two guards.

“We have to plan for either scenario,” he said of the possibility of Stuckey returning. “In either case, we will be prepared.”