Dar Tucker leaving DePaul early for NBA

The Big East's big-time talent drain finally has hit close to home.

DePaul sophomore guard Dar Tucker announced Tuesday that he intends to sign with an agent and renounce his last two years of eligibility.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to enter my name in the 2009 NBA Draft," Tucker said in a statement. "This decision did not come easy for me because of my feelings for DePaul University. "Coach (Jerry) Wainwright, my family and I have talked about my future and together we all decided this was the best decision for me at this time based upon personal circumstances."

The athletic 6-foot-5 Tucker, who averaged 18.5 points and 5.4 rebounds this season, joins a Big East list that includes Connecticut All-American center Hasheem Thabeet, Pittsburgh All-American DeJuan Blair, Louisville's Earl Clark and Georgetown's DaJuan Summers. Ducker will have to impress NBA scouts if he hopes to be a first-round pick and earn guaranteed money. - Lindsey Willhite

Considering other All-Americans such as Oklahoma's Blake Griffin and Arizona State's James Harden also have announced they'll be in the draft, Tucker must boost scouts' current impressions in order to be a first-round pick and earn guaranteed money.

Many NBA scouts covered Tucker's games this season as DePaul played 12 games against NCAA Tournament qualifiers. While none of the scouts discussed his game for the record, they generally viewed him as a raw talent that seemed unlikely to project as a first-round pick.

DePaul classmate Mac Koshwal reportedly has declared for the draft, too, but the center has yet to file the proper paperwork or sign with an agent.

Underclassmen have until April 26 to throw their name into the mix.