| Sophomore Dion Glover |
ATLANTA (May 14) — Basketball’s Dion Glover, a 6-5 sophomore guard, is entered in Wednesday’s National Basketball Association draft and his future as a Yellow Jacket will be determined by the draft day decisions of NBA management. Should Glover be selected early, he may become a professional. Otherwise, he may elect to return to Bobby Cremins’ lineup.
Glover did not sign with an agent in order to protect his collegiate eligibility under NCAA rules.
Glover, from Decatur, Ga., suffered a knee injury on the first day of preseason practice (Oct. 17) and sat out the entire 1998-99 season recuperating from November knee surgery. He has recently been cleared by Tech’s team doctors to play basketball.
As a freshman for Cremins’ 1997-98 team, Glover averaged 18.4 points a game and was the third-highest scoring freshman in the nation. He tied the Tech single-game freshman scoring mark with 33 points against Seton Hall in the NIT and was the top recipient of votes on the Atlantic Coast Conference all-freshman team. He was also named to the all-district team selected by the USBWA.
“I have decided to enter the upcoming NBA draft,” Glover said. “In accordance with NCAA rules, I will not sign with an agent. I hope to explore my options of where I would be drafted. NBA personnel can now legally work me out here in Atlanta and I can, at my own expense, attend the pre-draft camp in Chicago.
“When I was first injured in October, Coach Cremins explained this option to me, and I want to take full advantage of the rules to get an idea of what the pros think of me. I love Georgia Tech and feel that we can have a great year next year. However, this has always been my dream, and I have sat down with my family and decided to enter the draft.
“I have promised Coach Cremins that I will not jeopardize my eligibility. I appreciate Coach Cremins working with me on this and understanding my decision.”
| Glover in the open court |
Cremins, who has seen three previous underclassmen declare for the NBA draft in Dennis Scott (junior, 1990), Kenny Anderson (1991, sophomore) and Stephon Marbury (1996, freshman), issued the following statement.
“Dion has informed me that he is entering the upcoming NBA draft in order to determine his draft status,” said Cremins. “I had talked with Dion about this option when he was first injured and he has taken full advantage of the NBA rules and has promised me that he will retain his college eligibility while considering his options. I have carefully gone over the NCAA rules regarding agents with Dion, and he is fully aware of what he is allowed to do. Dion has a dream to someday play in the NBA, and it is his right and privilege to look into this. He saw what Jamaal Magloire from Kentucky did last week and, like Jamaal, he would like to test the waters. Dion has until June 23 to finalize his decision.
| Glover above the rim |
“Dion really missed playing this year and this experience will give him the challenge he wants and hopefully he can learn from it.
“Concerning our program, we will have the most scholarship players we have ever had. We have our entire team back from last year and the players who sat out, plus our new recruits, and there is a lot of excitement about next season. I will do all I can to help and guide Dion through this process and, again, most importantly, Dion has assured me he will abide by all NCAA rules.”
Aside from Glover, Tech returns all five starters — led by the twin tower tandem of 7-0 Jason Collier and 6-11 Alvin Jones — and the top two reserves from last year’s team which finished 15-16 and earned a berth in the NIT. Additionally, the Jackets will welcome a pair of transfers who will be eligible in 6-3 guard Shaun Fein (Stonehill College) and 6-8 forward Michael Isenhour (Air Force).
