On decision eve, dad says Klay uncertain

WITH THE DEADLINE for deciding now just hours away, record-setting Washington State junior guard Klay Thompson is still weighing the pros and cons of leaving early for the NBA and "will take it down to the wire," his father Mychal told Cougfan.com on Saturday. And by "down to the wire," he's talking literally.

Klay Thompson declared himself eligible for the draft last month but did not hire an agent, which gives him the option of withdrawing. The deadline to withdraw is midnight Eastern time Sunday.

Mychal Thompson said he doesn't expect his son to make an announcement until Sunday night. The younger Thompson will contact WSU coach Ken Bone with his decision before any public announcement is made.

Earlier this week Mychal Thompson told the Seattle Times that Klay was getting good feedback from NBA evaluators, but the potential of a lockout in the coming season looms large in his thinking.

The NBA draft is June 23.

Early projections of where Thompson would land in the draft varied widely between the late first round and the second rount, but there's now consensus around him being a mid-range pick in the first round. The highest forecast for him is by hoophype.com, which sees him going at No. 14 to the Rockets. NBAdraft.net sees him at No. 15 to the Pacers, while Chad Ford of ESPN slots him at No. 17 to the Wizards. MyNBAdraft.com pegs Thompson at No. 20 to the Timberwolves.

All first-round picks receive guaranteed contracts.

Thompson averaged 21.6 points per game in 2010-11, 11th-highest in the country, and was named first-team All-Pac-10 for the second straight season.