Brazil - Tavernari decides to 'test the NBA waters'

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Six hours after he announced he was entering his name into the 2009 NBA Draft -- but not hiring an agent so he could maintain his college basketball eligibility -- BYU junior forward Jonathan Tavernari said that "if a team from Europe comes and puts a contract in front of me, that's just huge ..."

He never finished the sentence.

But the statement clearly shows that if the situation is right, the native of Sao Bernardo, Brazil, is at least thinking about leaving BYU early for professional basketball.

Whether that situation materializes remains to be seen.

But Tavernari figures it doesn't hurt to take advantage of a rule that allows him work out with NBA teams and attend NBA pre-draft camps, if he is invited to do so, and then return to college basketball if he doesn't like what he is told about his pro prospects.

"If I get [invited to] workouts, it is going to be a great experience," he said. "If not, I will take my name out of the draft and I am excited to come back for next year. I think it is a win-win situation for me where I can test the waters -- just get my toes wet -- and not have to dive in full body."

It is the same route that BYU's Lee Cummard and Trent Plaisted took last spring. Cummard eventually returned for his senior year; Plaisted eventually hired representation and was picked in the second round.

"I want to see how I compare with the top
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players in the country and the world who are trying to move on to the next level," Tavernari said. "This will give me a chance to see what my options are and to find out what I need to improve as a basketball player."

BYU coach Dave Rose said he has had "multiple discussions" with Tavernari regarding Wednesday's decision and that he wouldn't stand in the way after offering his advice, having gone through the process with Cummard and Plaisted.

"This is the best way to get the feedback he wants," Rose said.

Tavernari was third on the team in scoring (15.7) last season and led the Cougars in rebounding (7.2). He earned third-team All-Mountain West Conference honors.

Last summer, Tavernari played on the Brazil Senior National Team that competed in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens, Greece.

He said he plans on playing for his national team again this summer, after sitting back and waiting for NBA clubs to invite him in for workouts. He has dropped 18 pounds since the season ended, he said, and considers himself in fantastic shape.

"I believe from the bottom of my heart that I can do it," he said. "I just hope that I get a call. I believe that there are some NBA teams that have shown interest because their scouts have come and watched the games."

College underclassmen such as Tavernari have until Sunday to declare for the draft. Those who have not hired an agent can return to college if they withdraw from the draft by June 15