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Stay Or Go? Speights Remains On The Fence

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

Going to the NBA?

Staying in school?

The basketball future of St. Petersburg's Marreese Speights, the University of Florida's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer as a sophomore, is very much in play. UF coach Billy Donovan said he can't predict the direction.

On April 10, Speights entered his name in the NBA draft pool, but he did not hire an agent, leaving himself an option of returning to the Gators.

In talks with NBA general managers, Donovan said Speights, a 6-foot-10, 250-pound center, has been mentioned as a "low first-round or high second-round" selection.

"I've never been a big Internet draft board kind of guy," Donovan said. "But one NBA GM told me pick 22, 24, 25 can very easily turn into pick 38. So you don't know. Right now, Marreese is going through the process. I want him to come back if he wants to come back. My experience is when guys get more distant from the college program and start working out, they want to go to the NBA. Marreese preferably wants to leave. That's why he did what he did."

Speights averaged 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds last season. He had a team-high 10 double-doubles, including a 16-point, 18-rebound performance against Massachusetts in the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden.

In UF's final eight games, Speights averaged 17.3 points and 8.8 rebounds, while shooting 65.9 percent from the floor.

Speights could participate in next week's predraft camp in Orlando, a gathering spot for league hopefuls, coaches and GMs. Donovan isn't certain about the value of that, either.

"One thing I don't like about this whole process is these guys can't even start working out for teams until after Orlando," Donovan said. "It's not like teams have evaluated him and given an assessment. A lot of times, the lock first-rounders don't even play in Orlando. I don't know if Marreese needs to play.

"I worry about that stuff, putting yourself out there. If Marreese goes into Orlando and doesn't play well for some reason, a lot of times, there's a carryover. They start labeling you. Sometimes, it's better to stay under the radar. Whatever happens, I just want to make sure he's doing what he wants to do."

Stay tuned.

TAMPA PRODUCTS HONORED: Florida Tech right-hander Matt Schurig (Hillsborough) was named Sunshine State Conference freshman of the year for baseball. Schurig was 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA.

Meanwhile, Saint Leo catcher Braulio Pardo (Gaither) was named first-team All-SSC after batting .356 for the Lions.

Schurig, Pardo, Saint Leo outfielder T.J. Alonzo and Tampa freshman pitcher Josh Bowman (Northeast) were named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-South Region second team. Tampa relief pitcher Anthony Perez was on the first team.

LACEY BACK IN COACHING: Former USF women's basketball coach Trudi Lacey, who guided the Bulls from 1988-96, will return to the sidelines next season with Queens University of Charlotte, N.C.

Lacey, who worked for USA Basketball and was coach and general manager with the WNBA's Charlotte Sting for six seasons, has been building her own company, LifeCoachDesigns, LLC, a firm that specializes in leadership development, career transitions and goal orientation.

She has written two books - "Coach Yourself To Greatness" and "Six Weeks To A Better Life."

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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