Longhorns' James to Make Himself Eligible for NBA Draft

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University of Texas junior swingman Damion James will declare himself eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft but does not plan to hire an agent, he announced today.

By not hiring an agent, James leaves open the possibility that he'll return to the Longhorns for his senior season. AJ Abrams did the same thing last year. NBA projections have him anywhere from the 22nd to the 42nd player taken. That drops him into the bottom half of the first round, or somewhere in the second round. If he returns, however, James would head up a talented front line that includes returning players Dexter Pittman and Gary Johnson, along with newcomer Jordan Hamilton. Add to that new talent at the guard spot in Avery Bradley and Jai Lucas and returnees Dogus Balbay and Varez Ward, and you're looking at a potential huge season for the Longhorns next year.