Alabama's Cotton Chooses NBA Draft

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) â€” Sophomore Schea Cotton, who led Alabama in scoring during his only season with the Crimson Tide, will enter the NBA draft. <br><br>The 6-foot-6 guard was to send a letter Friday

Monday, May 8th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) â€” Sophomore Schea Cotton, who led Alabama in scoring during his only season with the Crimson Tide, will enter the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-6 guard was to send a letter Friday to the NBA declaring his intentions, agent Steve Kauffman said.

Cotton left the team and withdrew from classes in March. He had said he was concerned about his father, James, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Cotton said he needs a strong performance at the Chicago pre-draft camp next month to improve his chances of being a first-round pick.

``I plan on playing in it,'' Cotton told ESPN.com on Thursday. ``I feel I've got ground to make up. I'm getting mixed messages with people saying I could be late first or early second.''

Cotton, who turned 22 in May, averaged 15.5 points and 4.6 rebounds last season.