Memphis loses last 2 starters to NBA draft
Juniors Anderson, Dozier are latest defections from tournament runnersup
 Eric Gay / AP Memphis forward Robert Dozier helps teammate Antonio Anderson (12) after his head was split open during the Tigers' NCAA South Regional final against Ohio State on March 24. |
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Tigers’ entire starting lineup last season has declared for the NBA draft now that juniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier have become the last from the 2008 NCAA runner-up to announce.
The school announced Wednesday that neither Anderson and Dozier is expected to sign with an agent, leaving the possibility of returning for their senior season open.
They joined Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts as early entries along with senior center Joey Dorsey.
With a deep pool of underclassmen entering the draft, Anderson and Dozier are unlikely to get drafted with their teammates. But Memphis coach John Calipari says Anderson and Dozier will be able to work out for NBA teams, participate in pre-draft camp and get feedback from scouts.
“Both Antonio and Robert approached me about putting their names in the NBA draft, and I support them in their decision,” Calipari said in a statement. “This is good for them because they can work out for teams and see where they stand and find out about their strengths and weaknesses.
Anderson has been a shutdown defender in three season with the Tigers, often asked to guard the opponent’s best player. But stuck in a logjam of talent at Memphis, he averaged just 8.6 points last season. Dozier averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds last year and also was forced to defer to the team’s more potent scorers.
The juniors, who have been merely complementary pieces for the Tigers, would have the chance to be go-to players should they return as seniors.
Behind their talented starters, the Tigers won an NCAA Division I record 38 games last season but lost to Kansas 75-68 in overtime of the national title game.
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