SoCalHoops College News

Tito Maddox Drops Out Of NBA Draft;
Will Stay At Fresno State--(May 31, 2001)

This morning's Fresno Bee carried a story confirming that Tito Maddox, who has vaccillated for the past two months about staying in school or declaring for the NBA Draft, has finally sent his letter to the NBA officially dropping out of the draft this year.  But the bigger question now is whether Tito will get back to business and remain eligible.  But the Bee story, citing unnamed sources, stated that Maddox had indeed already passed the requisite 24 units for the year and thus will be academically eligible next season.

"Tito wrote the letter on Thursday and faxed it in on Tuesday," Fresno State assistant Danny Tarkanian told the Bee's Eric Prisbell. "We have a copy of the receipt. He can't change now."  

Players can change their minds about the draft and reenter school so long as they have not signed with an agent.  Maddox had not signed. When the Bee tried to reach Tito for additional comment or confirmation, he could not be reached. "A member of his family hung up the phone at Maddox's Compton home after being informed the caller was a reporter," ther story noted. 

The story also touched on the troubled relationship which Tarkanian and Tito have had since the season ended, roughly about the same time Tito started talking about entering the draft:  "Jerry Tarkanian was not speaking to Maddox during the offseason. When asked Wednesday if he was still angry at his point guard, Tarkanian said, 'Not really. If he does what he has to do and is serious, then I'm happy. I think it's good he's coming back.'  The team's nucleus is now solidified, with two 6-foot-10 players, Melvin Ely and Hiram Fuller, in the frontcourt, the athletic Chris Jefferies at small forward, and the quick but erratic Maddox at point guard. "Without a doubt, I think we can have the best team at Fresno State since I've been here," Tarkanian said. "We can be very, very good." 

Prisbell's story also noted that backup point guard Nick Irvin is not expected to be academically eligible, according to two sources close to the team, and so Fresno State is looking to recruit a point guard from this year's senior class.  Prisbell notes that one target is Teddy Fletcher (6'-0" Sr. PG) from Inglewood HS, who played with the Paladins last year.

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