jamal sampson declares for draft

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Jamal Sampson To Leave Cal,
Announces For NBA Draft--(Mar. 21, 2002)

Cal's freshman center Jamal Sampson (6'-11" Fr. C) a graduate of Mater Dei and a former club teammate of current NBA player Tyson Chandler, announced this afternoon at a 2:00 p.m. press conference that he has decided to declare himself eligible for the NBA draft. The news comes as a bit of a shock to those of us who have followed Cal throughout the year, because even though everything has not been a bed of roses up in Berkeley, Sampson had said repeatedly to the coaching staff that he would be coming back next season and was happy at Cal.

As if this news wasn't bad enough for the Bears, it couldn't have come at a worse time, given the fact that Bishop Montgomery graduate Solomon Hughes has exhuasted his NCAA eligibility, his brother Gabriel Hughes has not played as a starter, and Amit Tamir doesn't appear to have the upside that Sampson offered to the Bears at the post position. And to make matters even worse, the spring signing period is rapidly approaching with few true center prospects still available, so you can bet Coach Ben Braun and his staff will be beating the bushes trying to find some of the better available big men both at the high school level and the JC level to fill the void left by Sampson.

Here's the official press release of Sampson's announcement that he has declared for the draft, which can also be found at the official Cal Bears' website:

Jamal Sampson Declares for NBA Draft

Freshman makes himself eligible after one season with Bears.

March 21, 2002

BERKELEY - Cal freshman Jamal Sampson announced today that he is
declaring himself eligible for the 2002 NBA Draft. A 6-11, 235-pound
center/forward from Inglewood, Sampson averaged 6.4 points and 6.5 rebounds
while blocking 54 shots for the Bears during the 2001-02 season.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to make myself eligible for the
upcoming NBA Draft," Sampson said. "I've talked to members of my family and
other people familiar with the NBA and realized that this is the best decision for
me at the this time."

Sampson said he does not plan on hiring an agent yet, leaving open the
possibility of returning to school if his draft position is not favorable.

"I have enjoyed this year at Cal," Sampson said. "I like the team and the coaching
staff, and it was a good decision for me to go to Cal. I felt that Coach (Ben) Braun
and the staff have helped me prepare for the next level."

During his freshman year, Sampson started 31 of 32 games for the Bears and
led the team in rebounding 16 times. He was voted MVP of the BCA Classic in
November and was a Pac-10 All-Freshman selection in March. His 54 blocks are
the third-highest total on Cal's season list.

Sampson scored a career-high 15 points twice, first vs. Fresno State Dec. 11.
Against Washington Jan. 17, Sampson also poured in 15 points, to go with a
career-best 17 rebounds, three assists and five blocks.

"This decision was made by Jamal and his family," Braun said. "I support him in
the decision, but I'd personally like to see him come back to school, as I would
with all players. Each person has to review his own opportunities and be
responsible for his own path. Jamal is talking about an opportunity that has
presented itself. It's up to Jamal to make that decision. I hope his tenure at Cal
was helpful to him."

Sampson entered Cal last fall after earning third team Parade All-America
honors at Mater Dei High School in Southern California. As a senior, he
averaged 15.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg and 2.4 bpg, helping Mater Dei to the state
championship, a 33-2 record and a No. 4 national ranking from USA Today.

Cal completed the 2001-02 season with a 23-9 overall record and a tie for
second place in the Pac-10. The Bears advanced to the second round of the
NCAA Tournament with a win over Penn before losing to Pittsburgh last
weekend.