Freshman forward Tyrus Thomas announced at a press conference Monday that he signed with an agent and will declare for the NBA draft.
“Basically I just want to let the fans know, the teammates know and everybody else that supports LSU basketball that last night I officially gave up my college eligibility and signed with Elfus-Siegel Management, and I will be entering the 2006 NBA Draft,” said Thomas, who was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. “I feel when you’re hot, you’re hot. I have to maximize my opportunities while I can.”
SEC Player of the Year Glen Davis, sophomore forward, announced he will stay with the Tigers for at least one more season.
“I’m not finished here,” said Davis, who was 2005 SEC Freshman of the Year. “I feel that there’s a lot of things to be accomplished, not only as a player but as a person. I will be here next year to further my education and also to be with my family members and, of course, my teammates.”
Davis, who often cracks jokes with the media, was straight-faced as he made the announcement.
“That’s about it,” Davis said. “I hope I didn’t scare nobody with how serious I am right now. I look forward to practice and going to the Final Four again.”
After a standing ovation for both players, LSU basketball coach John Brady discussed the announcements.
“I think it’s just a testament to this program that we have not one but two guys sitting here with the opportunity to be drafted in the first round,” Brady said. “One thinks he’s got more work to do, which I agree with him. And one thinks he’s ready to go, which I agree with that.”
Brady opened the press conference by talking about the impact Thomas and Davis had on him and the team.
“I don’t have any sons,” Brady said. “Sitting here today, flanked by these two guys and the team right here, I feel like a proud dad. Tyrus is going to be successful, and Glen Davis is going to be successful. There’s no question in my mind.”
Thomas signed with Elfus-Siegel after consulting with members of his family. He said his decision rested ultimately on how he could help them.
“I just feel like right now I’m in a great position to do some great things, not only for myself but also for my family,” Thomas said. “The great thing about my family was no one ever persuaded me to go, no one ever persuaded me to stay. They made the decision a lot easier for me by wanting me to do only what I wanted to do.”
Thomas graduated in 2004 from McKinley High School, minutes away from LSU’s campus. He redshirted his true freshman season because of a neck injury.
“I don’t know if anybody in this room would have envisioned that he would be sitting here right now as a top-five projected pick in the NBA,” Brady said. “Maybe Tyrus Thomas believed because he has that kind of grit and toughness about him. He takes things a little more personal. That’s one thing that’s going to drive him to be successful.”
Davis said the Tigers’ Final Four game influenced his decision to stay at LSU. He said his competitive nature made him want to come back to win another game.
Davis also talked to former LSU forward Brandon Bass, who was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets after last season. Bass, the 2005 SEC Player of the Year, is averaging 8.8 minutes and 2.2 points per game with the Hornets.
“[Bass] gave us advice to not follow in his footsteps,” Davis said. “You never want to sell yourself short. If you can get more, get more.”
 
Contact Krysten Oliphant at koliphant@lsureveille.com