Nate Robinson may give NBA decision on Monday

Washington guard Nate Robinson has scheduled a news conference Monday when he is expected to declare for the NBA draft and forgo his final year of eligibility with the Huskies.

Robinson was named to the All-Pac-10 men's basketball team each of the last two seasons and was a third-team Associated Press All-American this year. The guard, who is listed as 5 feet 9, was UW's leading scorer at 16.4 points per game this season as the Huskies set a school record with 29 wins and advanced to the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16.

Robinson, a graduate of Rainier Beach High School, hinted strongly at his intentions after Washington's loss to Louisville in the Sweet 16. "I have a family," he said. "It's time to provide for my family."

Robinson dropped an even bigger clue this week in an interview with DraftCity.com, which caught up to him as he watched Huskies teammate Will Conroy participate in the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational Draft Camp.

Asked what his plans were for the next month, Robinson said, "Just working out for teams. Hopefully keep moving up the draft lists." He added that he might attend the Chicago pre-draft camp for the second straight year.

Most around the UW have considered it a foregone conclusion for months that Robinson would be leaving and several sources said recently that nothing has changed.

Robinson, who is listed at 5-9 but was measured at 5-7 ¾ at the Chicago camp last year, is generally considered an early second-round pick with a chance of moving into the late first round depending on his workouts. The Web site NBADraft.net projected Robinson as the 38th overall pick — No. 8 of the second round — to the Lakers in its most recent mock draft.

Of greater uncertainty is the future of Huskies junior guard Brandon Roy and incoming freshman Martell Webster of Seattle Prep.

Roy had indicated last week that he might make an announcement this week. But Roy told the Times that the decision was harder than he thought it would be and UW coaches have apparently told him to take his time. It's likely a decision may not come for another week or two.

Roy is apparently weighing whether to return to Washington or to declare for the draft and not hire an agent while attending pre-draft camps. He could then still return to UW, which is what Robinson did a year ago.

Webster's NBA stock is thought to be rising after an impressive showing in the McDonald's All-American game last week.

Another factor could be the increasingly likely prospect that the NBA will institute a 20-year age minimum in its new collective-bargaining agreement this summer. High-school players this year wouldn't be affected. But if Webster skips the NBA this year, he might then have to wait two years before turning pro, or — as one story indicated yesterday — be required to spend a year in the NBA's developmental league.

Underclassmen have until May 14 to declare and if they don't hire an agent, have until June 21 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com