By Myron P. Medcalf • mmedcalf@startribune.com
For weeks, Ralph Sampson III flirted with his NBA dreams. He traveled to Chicago to work out with reputable NBA trainer Tim Grover. He told those close to him he was serious about pursuing a professional career.
And when the deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft passed Sunday night without any official word from Sampson or the Gophers — only reports suggesting he planned to stay in the pool — the buzz suggested the 6-11 center was set to become the fourth departure from Tubby Smith's 2008 recruiting class.
But Sampson ultimately decided to withdraw from the draft and return for his senior season, according to former AAU coach DeWayne Jackson, who coached the post player when he was a member of his Atlanta Celtics squad and spoke with family members Monday.
"He is pulling his name out of the draft," Jackson said Monday. "It's 100 percent a done deal." Gophers coach Tubby Smith confirmed Sampson's return in a news release issued by the school Monday afternoon.
"We want to welcome Ralph Sampson III back to the Golden Gopher basketball program," Smith said in the statement. "One thing the NCAA allows players to do is test the draft waters and having done that and also by consulting with his family, he came to the decision to return to Minnesota. He is coming off a good junior season, and I think having gone through the NBA workouts will only help him as we head into next season."
