Posted on Tue, Apr. 22, 2008

-- Mississippi State guard Jamont Gordon is going to make himself eligible for the NBA Draft.

And this time, he thinks he's going to stay there.

Gordon, 21, a two-time All-SEC selection, is leaving State with one year of eligibility remaining. He has said all spring that he doesn't intend to sign an agent before the June 26 NBA draft, which could allow him to return to the Bulldogs.

The deadline to withdraw from the draft is June 16. Gordon flirted with the NBA last year before returning to State.

Most NBA scouting services don't have the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Gordon as a first-round pick, but he seems to be getting different information.

"I was excited about all the information I was getting," Gordon told the Associated Press.

Gordon averaged 17.2 points per game for the Bulldogs, who won the SEC West last season and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

If Gordon does indeed leave, MSU will return just two starters next season, shot-blocking and defensive specialist Jarvis Varnado and junior swingman Barry Stewart.

State's Ben Hansbrough decided to transfer after the season.

The Sun Herald will have more details on this story in Wednesday's editions.