While University students busied about the nation’s beaches, an era may have ended.Junior forward Tasmin Mitchell’s decision to enter the 2009 NBA Draft last Wednesday, should he honor it, removes LSU’s last link to its 2006 Final Four team. It also leaves just one remaining starter from the Tigers’ 2008 Southeastern Conference championship team.”I saw an opportunity,” Mitchell said. “I won’t be jeopardizing my eligibility, but playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine, and I wanted to put my head out there.”Mitchell has decided not to hire an agent, which preserves his eligibility should he choose to return for his senior year.Many LSU students were surprised by the news after leaving the area last week for spring break.”That’s a shocker. That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said Leon Green, chemistry junior. “I’ve seen him grow while he’s been here — it’s a good step for him, but we’ll be losing a good player.”Mitchell’s decision could add one more name to the mass exodus of LSU players from Baton Rouge. The Tigers lose five seniors this spring, including starters Chris Johnson, Garrett Temple and Marcus Thornton.          Mitchell will join them on the list of NBA hopefuls after earning a first team All-SEC selection, averaging 16.3 points per game.”I’m not surprised,” said Mike Bagot, finance sophomore. “The team doesn’t have a lot of depth coming back, and he probably thinks he’ll have to carry the whole team … it’s going to hurt to lose a fifth-year senior, but it’s a great move for him.”Mitchell’s status as an NBA star isn’t cemented quite yet. Aran Smith, NBADraft.net analyst, said he doesn’t see the Denham Springs native as a likely selection in the June 25 draft.”I haven’t heard much of a reaction,” Smith said. “I think he’ll go undrafted, but these things do change … It’s all a matter of impressing people on some level — whether as a scorer or a glue guy-type defender.”Smith said many underclassmen declare for the draft to see what their prospects are and what they need to improve before returning to school.”Younger guys can get some advice on what they can improve and what they need to focus on,” Smith said. “It really comes down to [Mitchell] going up against players that people think are better than him … He has a chance to show teams personality and character as well.”While not hiring an agent has left the door open for a possible return, Mitchell said he intends to go through with the drafting process and show NBA teams he’s capable of the transition.”I’m going into this with both feet,” Mitchell said. “I want to show people my versatility … They saw a little of what I can do this year, but I want to show them everything.”LSU coach Trent Johnson was unavailable for comment, though Mitchell noted the Tigers’ SEC Coach of the Year has been “real supportive.”Butch Pierre, Mitchell’s godfather and LSU’s interim coach before Johnson, had plenty of his own support to offer.”No one’s really ready for that transition [to the NBA], but he’s been in school for four years so it’s a different situation for him,” Pierre said. “Since he was 13 or 14, he’s had the discipline to achieve his goals, so if that’s what he wants, he’s going to see it through.”Mitchell has until June 15 to return to school if his draft plans don’t work out, where he is just four classes from completing a degree in communication studies.Mitchell said he will continue to attend class during the semester.”I would love for him to get his degree,” Pierre said. “But he’s going to sit down with Trent Johnson and his family and put all the positives and negatives out there, and he’s going to make the right decision.”——Contact David Helman at [email protected]