| 1996 | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1998 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1999 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2000 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
05/16/00 - Here is an excellent Mario Austin article from the Tuscaloosa News. If you would like to thank David Cooper for the article, his email address is david.cooper@tuscaloosanews.com.
Thanks to Tuscaloosa News Sports Editor Cecil Hurt for giving me permission to post this article on my page. The Tuscaloosa News is not online. If you would also like to thank Cecil, his email address is cecil.hurt@tuscaloosanews.com
YORK -- The NBA Draft will have to wait for Sumter County basketball star Mario Austin.
After a long weekend of deliberation, the McDonald's All-American from York withdrew his declaration from the NBA Draft Sunday, and will opt for a future with Mississippi State University.
"I'm going to school," said Austin in a telephone interview Sunday night. "I pulled my name out. I was real close to going. I declared, but I just didn't send in the letter."
Austin, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward-center, was projected as to go in the late first round at best. But after talking with his mother and grandfather, he weighed several final options for his playing future.
"I saw all the underclassmen that were coming out this year," said Austin. "And I figure they'll be looking at me in two years. In that much time I can become a lottery pick. Plus you have to figure in the players from overseas. You never know who they're going to pick."
Austin said he learned three weeks ago that he has fulfilled requirements to play at Mississippi State University. Now he looks to spend at least two years playing for the Bulldogs.
"I'm really excited. I want to jump and in as a freshman and make a difference. With enough hard work I can become a lottery pick if I keep at it.
"I need to work on every aspect of my game. Everything is going to be much more difficult in college than it was in high school. There's more athletes my own size so working on my own ability is the biggest thing I can work on."
05/15/00 - MSU signee Mario Austin DID NOT declare for the NBA draft.
05/14/00 - According to several sites on the internet, MSU signee Mario Austin will forgo college and declare for the NBA draft. One site, ESPN, even claims to have a quote from Mario.
I contacted a very well placed source of mine and that source said that as of late yesterday Mario and his mother were still saying that Mario would go to college. They also said that they have not told anyone that Mario would declare for the draft. However, my source said nothing is absolutely certain until after today. Today is the final day that a player can declare for the NBA draft.
05/04/00 - The word I continue to hear is that Northeast Mississippi CC point guard Guy Gardner will be playing at State next season. For those of you who have asked, according to my sources, former Clinton HS star basketball player Ontario Harper will be on scholarship and playing for MSU next season.
05/03/00 - Lanier High School small forward Darius Rice has signed a letter of intent with the University of Miami. My sources had told me that Darius was always very interested in Miami but that his dad didn't want him to go there. I assume because of the distance and the crime rate. Looks like Darius got his wish.