College basketball | Gonzaga's Jeremy Pargo to explore pro option

SPOKANE — Gonzaga guard Jeremy Pargo says he has declared himself eligible for the NBA draft but is reserving the option of returning for his senior season by not hiring an agent.

In a statement released Tuesday by school officials, Pargo said going through the draft's early-entry process "will be a great learning experience."

As long as he doesn't hire an agent, the junior is eligible to withdraw his name from draft consideration until June 16. The draft is June 26 in New York. The early-entry deadline is April 27.

Pargo was voted the West Coast Conference player of the year.

Gonzaga coach Mark Few said he is confident Pargo "will make an educated and thoughtful decision."

Memphis' Rose heads to draft

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis freshman Derrick Rose announced he was heading to the NBA draft, the same day coach John Calipari agreed in principle to a contract extension with the school.

Rose capped his spectacular first season by leading Memphis to the national-championship game, which it lost 75-68 to Kansas in overtime.

The 6-foot-3 point guard from Chicago averaged 20.8 points in six NCAA tournament games and will likely be taken with one of the top picks in the draft. Kansas State forward Michael Beasley, who announced Monday he is turning pro after one season of college ball, and Rose are viewed as the prime prospects in the draft.

Davis leaves Drake for Providence job

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Keno Davis can't guarantee he will have the same success in his first season at Providence as he had recently at Drake, where his team won 28 games and earned an NCAA tournament bid.

But the 36-year-old Davis, hired as Providence's coach, promised the Friars won't be outworked on the court.

"That's all I can ask — is our players' best effort," Davis told reporters after a news conference.

Davis, the son of former longtime Iowa coach Tom Davis, was lured from Drake two weeks after being selected as The Associated Press national coach of the year. Davis replaces Tim Welsh, who was fired last month.

Notes

• Santa Clara hired Jennifer Mountain, previously a Gonzaga assistant, as women's coach.

Mountain, also an ex-Gonzaga player, received a five-year contract to replace Michelle Bento-Jackson, whose contract was not renewed after six seasons.

• Texas-El Paso standout Stefon Jackson, 21, was arrested on charges that he hindered an investigation into a Pennsylvania shooting. Deputy sheriffs searched Jackson's off-campus apartment and arrested a man wanted in a separate Philadelphia murder case.

Jackson averaged 23.6 points in 2007-08.

• Louisiana State forward Anthony Randolph, who announced last week that he was leaving for the NBA draft, signed with an agent, officially ending his college career. He will be represented by a company headed by sports agent Arn Tellem.

• Connecticut sophomore guard Doug Wiggins asked to be released from his scholarship so he can transfer.

• Freshman forward Bryan Bouchie has been granted a release from Valparaiso and plans to transfer.

• Butler coach Brad Stevens, 31, signed a seven-year contract extension through 2014-15.