USC's Nick Young Enters NBA Draft

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Southern California junior Nick Young will pass up his senior season to enter the NBA draft. <br/><br/>Young announced his decision Tuesday at a news conference on campus. He said he

Tuesday, April 17th 2007, 6:01 pm

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Southern California junior Nick Young will pass up his senior season to enter the NBA draft.

Young announced his decision Tuesday at a news conference on campus. He said he will hire an agent, making his decision irrevocable.

``It was a tough decision,'' the 21-year-old junior said. ``I'm very confident. It's a dream come true. I'm just trying to make a better life for my family.''

His parents attended the news conference.

Young, the sixth-leading scorer in USC history, said he spoke with several people, including coach Tim Floyd and his assistants; his high school coach, his parents, his brother and his Trojans teammates.

``Nick has played well enough to receive consideration from the NBA,'' Floyd said in a statement. ``He has our support and we wish him the best.''

Floyd was on a recruiting trip and didn't attend the news conference.

Young averaged 17.5 points and 4.6 rebounds this season, scoring in double figures in USC's last 25 games.

He led the Trojans into the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years and scored 20 points in a 77-60 first-round victory over Arkansas; 22 in an 87-68 second-round triumph over Texas, and 15 in a 74-64 third-round loss to North Carolina.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound swingman scored 1,486 points in 96 games at USC. He averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds as a freshman and 17.3 points and 6.6 rebounds as a sophomore, and was chosen to the All Pac-10 first-team the past two years.