Martell Webster ended what little suspense remained yesterday about his basketball future by releasing a statement that he has hired an agent.

The announcement eliminated any chance of the Seattle Prep senior, who had signed a letter of intent for basketball at Washington, playing college basketball. Webster had announced two weeks ago that he was entering the NBA draft but had not yet hired an agent, leaving open the possibility of playing for the Huskies.

In his statement, Webster said he has signed with Arn Tellem, Bob Myers and Chris Luchey of SFX Sports Management.

Tellem has handled athletes such as Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra and Jermaine O'Neal and is regarded as one of the most powerful agents in sports.

Tellem's SFX has signed several other players who will be high draft picks this year, including Utah's Andrew Bogut and North Carolina's Sean May.

In his statement, Webster said that he had been looking forward to playing at Washington and for coach Lorenzo Romar.

"I am committed to pursuing my education in the future," he said. "I consider myself a Husky."

Webster, who averaged 27.7 points at Seattle Prep last season, was one of seven players Washington signed in November. The class is generally regarded as one of the best in the nation and possibly the best in school history.

Webster, however, becomes the first Washington signee to ever head jump to the NBA out of high school.

Romar said yesterday that he knew there was a good possibility of Webster turning pro.

Though Webster won't play for Washington, Romar said signing him was still worth the effort.

"I think if there's a chance, it's not a waste of time," Romar said. "He will never put on a Husky uniform ... but he signed with the Huskies, and I'm proud of that and I will cheer him on."

Romar said several times last season that Webster had told Huskies coaches he would play at Washington for at least one season. But Romar insisted he doesn't feel misled because Webster's situation changed after he impressed NBA scouts with several good performances in national All-Star games.

"I think what he said, at the time he really believed that," Romar said. "But when it's right in front of you and you can see tangible evidence of [being drafted], that's a different story."

Conventional wisdom is that Webster will be a lottery pick. The Web site NBADraft.net predicts Webster will be chosen No. 9 by Golden State, guaranteeing him a three-year contract.

The Huskies essentially filled Webster's spot on the roster by getting a commitment last week from Lorrenzo Wade, a swingman who transferred from Louisville. Wade will have to sit out next season as a redshirt.

"I don't know if he will replace Martell," Romar said of Wade, who averaged 4.1 points and 1.8 rebounds as a freshman. "They are two different players. But I think it definitely helps replace some of what we lost."

Wade played in 35 games for Louisville this year as a true freshman, averaging 9.9 minutes as the primary backup to All-American Francisco Garcia. Romar likes Wade's ability to score and defend as well as his size and intelligence.

"He's just a smart basketball player," Romar said.

Note

• As expected, the Washington Huskies will face New Mexico in the 12th annual Wooden Classic in Anaheim on Dec. 10. The pairings for the doubleheader were announced this week. UCLA will face Nevada in the other game. It is the first time the Huskies will compete in the Wooden Classic, which was established in 1994.