Hendrix leaving, Steele returning

TUSCALOOSA | Richard Hendrix, the leading scorer and rebounder for the University of Alabama basketball team last season, will remain in the NBA Draft’s early-eligibility pool, ending his career with the Crimson Tide, sources close to the UA program said on Monday.

Alabama coach Mark Gottfried released a statement through the UA media relations department.

“Richard called me and informed me he is going to stay in the draft,” said Gottfried. “We had a great conversation. I told him I loved him and supported him. Richard has always represented the University of Alabama with a great deal of class which shows because he’s a three-year graduate.

“I will be pulling hard and cheering for him as he moves on with his future.”

Point guard Ron Steele, a pre-season All-American in 2007 before sitting out last season with a knee injury, is expected to withdraw from the draft and return to Alabama for a fifth season.

Hendrix also released a statement through the UA media relations department explaining his decision.

“After several months of thinking and getting all the information and consulting with my family I have come to the decision to keep my name in the 2008 NBA Draft,” he said. “I feel strongly that this is an opportunity for me to reach my individual and personal goals as a basketball player. I feel that this decision is the right decision for me. I have no regrets with this decision. I feel like it’s a career decision and the time to move on.

“This decision was made easier because I have fulfilled my academic requirements at the University of Alabama. Graduation was a goal for me as well as taking my game to the next level, taking my game to the NBA. I’m going about this process with the highest hopes and best of expectations for my future and draft status. Over the last two months I have weighed all the pros and cons in every scenario that can take place in my situation. I feel I am in a unique situation in that I have graduated but I also have a year of eligibility remaining. But I have decided to forego my final year and play professionally in the NBA.

“The University of Alabama has been a great place for me. It will always have a special place in my heart, and I will never take for granted the experiences, the people, the friendships and the support that I have gained during my three years at the Capstone. The coaching staff has always supported me and has told me they will continue to support me throughout the rest of this process, throughout my career and in my life. Playing basketball at the University of Alabama and in the Southeastern Conference, I feel, has given me an experience like none other. The level of basketball has helped prepare me for the next level.”

Hendrix averaged 17.8 points and 10.1 rebounds for his career at UA. In three season, the former Parade All-America from Athens High School, scored 1,327 points and grabbed 849 rebounds. He has been projected as a second-round draft choice by several NBA Draft projections on the Internet, although a few projections have Hendrix going in the late first round.

Steele averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 assists per game for Alabama in the 2005-06 season. He was hampered by injuries in 2006-07, when his averages dropped to 8.6 points and 4.0 assists. Following the 2007 season, Steele had surgery on both knees. He then chose to sit out the 2007-08 season as a redshirt.

“I’m really excited about coming back my senior year to play," Steel said, according to an Alabama Athletic Media Relations press release. "After praying about this and talking with my family, my coaches and people within the NBA, I feel like I made the right decision for me. I enjoyed the process. It’s been a valuable learning experience for me and it was a lot of fun. Now I’m concentrating on Alabama and I’m looking forward to coming back to Alabama and hopefully having a great senior season.”

Both Hendrix and Steele participated in the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando in late May and have since had individual workouts for several teams.

Alabama coach Mark Gottfried was not immediately available for comment. He is expected to make a statement later today.

“Richard called me and informed me he is going to stay in the draft,” said Gottfried. “We had a great conversation. I told him I loved him and supported him. Richard has always represented the University of Alabama with a great deal of class which shows because he’s a three-year graduate. I will be pulling hard and cheering for him as he moves on with his future.”

Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil.hurt@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0225.