Blair likely to keep eligibility

Pitt center DeJuan Blair has made it clear he plans on going through at least the beginning… Pitt center DeJuan Blair has made it clear he plans on going through at least the beginning processes of this year’s NBA Draft. But just because he might be leaning toward going professional, it doesn’t mean Pitt will have to say goodbye to him.

A source close to the situation said Blair was adamant about not hiring an agent, meaning that if he doesn’t like what he hears from NBA scouts and general managers in the upcoming months, he can withdraw his name and still keep his remaining two years of eligibility at Pitt. As soon as a player hires an agent, his college eligibility is exhausted.

If he does indeed enter his name, Blair, who turns 20 on April 22, will have until 10 days before the Draft to withdraw. The Draft takes place June 25.

Pitt fans likely hope he’ll do the same thing that ex-Pitt center Aaron Gray did in 2006, when he applied for early entry to the Draft but withdrew his name to complete his collegiate career. But Blair is a better overall prospect than Gray, meaning his opportunities at the next level could be greater.

Still, there have been no official announcements from Blair, the athletic department or the NBA.

‘I met with his family on a number of occasions and met with him [Monday] as well,’ said Pitt coach Jamie Dixon. ‘I think he’s an NBA player. I told him that from the time we recruited him.’

Dixon wouldn’t give specifics about what advice he gave Blair, but did say that he’s gotten information from NBA personnel about Blair and his future opportunities in the NBA.

He added that while it is a time when so many college players turn professional before graduating, it’s not a bad problem to have.

‘I say it’s a good thing,’ said Dixon. ‘You better have it or you’ve got other problems. We want guys to have that dream.’

An official announcement is expected from Blair sometime in the next few days and could come as early as Wednesday.