Arizona's Williams won't enter NBA draft

TUCSON, Ariz. — Marcus Williams, one of the top freshmen in the Pac-10 last season, has decided to stay at Arizona for another year rather than make himself available for the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-7 forward from Roosevelt High School had strongly considered testing NBA waters but said he decided he needed another season of college basketball to boost his chance of being a high draft pick.

"It came down to me wanting to go into the league and be effective and walk in with a kind of confidence and swagger that I am ready to play at a high level," Williams said.

Arizona point guard Mustafa Shakur had earlier declared himself available for the draft but did not hire an agent.

Over the past month, Williams has gathered information from friends, family members and Arizona coach Lute Olson about where Williams might be picked if he entered the draft. He said he believed he would go in the first round, but wants to raise his profile with another season in college.

"Some people assumed I would go from 12 to 20, that is what I was hearing," Williams said.

He said he didn't want to go to the NBA if it just meant a season of watching from the bench.

Williams was Arizona's second-leading scorer at 13 points per game. Over the final 10 games, he led the team in scoring with a 16.4 average.

Notes

• Four players declared for the draft Thursday but all said they would not hire agents: Villanova point guard Kyle Lowry, a sophomore; Arkansas junior swingman Ronnie Brewer; Pittsburgh 7-footer Aaron Gray, a junior; and South Carolina junior forward Renaldo Balkman.

• Mississippi prep star LeKendric Longmire has signed a letter of intent with Oregon, filling the scholarship left when guard Kenny Love announced he was leaving the Ducks. The 6-foot-5 Longmire averaged 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists last season at Pascagoula High School.

• Florida Atlantic assistant coach Rex Walters will be promoted today to replace Matt Doherty as head coach, the Palm Beach Post reported.