Arkansas’ Portis enters NBA Draft

FAYETTEVILLE -- The decision for Bobby Portis to leave Arkansas and pursue an NBA career didn't come easily.

What to do has dominated his life since the Razorbacks' season ended with an 87-78 loss to North Carolina on March 21 in the NCAA Tournament.

"I've been going back and forth with staying and leaving," Portis said Tuesday when he announced he will enter the NBA Draft rather than return to Arkansas for his junior season. "Kind of just at war with myself.

"I didn't want to make anyone mad about if I leave they're going to say this, and I didn't want to stay and have regrets."

In the end, the 6-11 forward from Little Rock Hall decided it was time to start living his dream of playing in the NBA.

This year's NBA Draft will be held June 25 in New York.

"Bobby will be a first-rounder, there's no question about it," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. "Where? That remains to be seen.

"I have all the confidence in this guy right here. He's on a fast track to do some great things. No one can knock his work ethic. For a 6-11 guy that can do the things that this guy does, it's remarkable."

Portis, the SEC Player of the Year and a second-team Associated Press All-American, said he made his decision to enter the draft last Tuesday after meeting with Anderson, who shared information from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee on where Portis is likely to be selected.

"The feedback we got was very positive," Anderson said.

Portis is expected to be the first Razorback picked in the draft's first round since 2006 when guard Ronnie Brewer was selected No. 14 by the Utah Jazz.

Rather than announce a decision last week, Portis waited until after Arkansas held its team banquet Monday night.

Portis, the oldest of four brothers, said the opportunity to help his mother, Tina Edwards, figured into his decision. She works from 2 a.m. to 1 p.m. delivering bread.

"That's a tough burden on anyone," Portis said. "I want to take that next step, not just for her, but for myself. I'm doing this for Bobby Portis just because I feel like I'm ready."

Portis said his mother left the decision up to him.

"That's something that she's always preaching, me not trying to make a decision for her, just to change her life and my little brothers' lives," Portis said. "She wants me to live my dream and to be the best basketball player I can be.

"I think it will be nice to help my family out, but I still have to work as hard as I can every day, just try to be the same person I've been and stay humble and hungry."

Portis said his decision is about more than being a first-round pick and getting on stage to be congratulated by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

"If I get my name called and put that [team] hat on, that doesn't mean it's just the end of the world and I get money," he said. "It's more than just money. It's a job, too."

Portis said he has heard he'll be taken as somewhere between late in the draft lottery -- the top 14 picks -- to No. 20.

"Because of my character and my work ethic, I feel like I can move up to 10, 11, 12," he said.

Portis averaged 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 29.9 minutes per game this season. He shot 53.6 percent from the field and scored 10 or more points in 34 of 36 games, including 32 points against Vanderbilt

"He doesn't want to just be a good player in the NBA, he wants to be a great player in the NBA," Anderson said. "I don't question anything this guy puts his mind to do."

Portis said he hasn't hired an agent.

"That's the biggest thing," he said. "Try to find a guy that I'm comfortable with and someone that's genuine with me."

Portis said he plans to complete his classes at Arkansas this semester but also will attend the NBA's pre-draft combine May 12-17 in Chicago.

"This wasn't an easy decision for Bobby," Anderson said. "I mean, this guy committed as a sophomore to be a Razorback.

"Trust me, he's been wrestling with this. ... But at the end of the day, this was Bobby's decision. I think he made the right decision."

Asked about his decision, Portis responded with a little singing.

"Last night I played this song 'I don't want to leave, but I got to go right now,' " Portis sang, then laughed. "It was a tough decision for me just because growing up in the state of Arkansas, I felt like I was a great ambassador for our basketball team and for our program."

Portis said he's tried to set an example for other in-state players, mentioning Bentonville guard Malik Monk, to follow his lead and play at Arkansas.

"I believe I showed kids that you don't have to go to Kentucky or Florida to try and live your dreams," Portis said. "Coach Anderson and his staff gets it done here."

Portis led Arkansas to a 27-9 record and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008 and was the second Razorback to earn SEC Player of the Year honors along with Corliss Williamson, his former AAU coach, in 1994 and 1995.

"Bobby's done some great things here for us at the university, took us some places we haven't been in awhile," Anderson said. "But I think he has just started something that is going to continue to take place."

Anderson said Portis developing into an NBA first-round draft pick after two seasons at Arkansas should be a recruiting boost.

"It's is a big statement in a lot of ways," Anderson said. "Hopefully the recruits understand that we get it done here at the University of Arkansas.

"Our kids develop, they do it the right way on and off the floor, and when they leave here they will be ready, not only for the NBA but the real world."

Anderson said Portis has been a great face for Arkansas' program.

"We could not have a better representative than Bobby Portis," Anderson said. "I can't say enough good things about this guy."

Portis thanked his teammates, coaches, managers and anyone connected with the basketball team for their help.

"Y'all are a part of my family now," he said. "It's something I'm proud of."

Anderson said during his discussion with Portis about the draft that Portis stressed finishing school this spring.

"That speaks volumes about him and his priorities," Anderson said. "To me, that's a guy that's well-rounded.

"He's been great on and off the floor. Integrity speaks for a lot of things. That's why I say whomever has an opportunity to draft this young man, they will get a gem.

"They will get a guy that's going to shine."

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Sports on 04/15/2015