Des Moines Register
03/16/06
ISU star guards Stinson, Blalock intend to go pro
Junior guards Stinson, Blalock plan to become eligible for NBA draft.
RANDY PETERSON
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Iowa State basketball fans likely have seen the last of one of the top backcourt
duos in school history. Curtis Stinson and Will Blalock said Wednesday they
plan to become available for the June 27 NBA draft.
"My family is extremely important to me, and I want to make sure that my mom is
taken care of," Stinson said in a news release. "It has been a great ride, and I will
never forget everybody who has helped me out.
"Coach (Wayne) Morgan gave me this opportunity. I was not recruited very
heavily out of high school. He was always there for me and was loyal to me. I
can't thank him enough for that."
Blalock expressed the same sentiments, also through a statement.
"I want to thank the fans, the students at Iowa State and everybody who has
stood by me for these three years," Blalock said. "I also want to thank coach
Morgan for all his help and assistance. I feel like I have played against some of
the best players in the nation while competing in the Big 12, and I am ready to
test my game at the next level."
Like the players, Morgan's only comments were through a statement released by
Iowa State's media relations department.
"It is immeasurable what these two young men have done for this program and to
me personally," he said. "Any success we have had as a team or I have had as a
head coach at Iowa State, they are directly responsible for.
"It is without question that they are both great players and will have success at
the next level. Myself, my family and our fans will always have great memories of
what Will and Curtis have done for ISU."
Juniors, Stinson and Blalock have until April 28 to submit their names for the tworound draft. That allows them to work out for NBA teams, but they can retain their
collegiate eligibility as long as they do not sign with an agent, and as long as they
withdraw from the draft by June 17.
They relinquish their final season of eligibility if they sign with an agent or fail to
withdraw from the draft. Neither had withdrawn from school as of Wednesday
afternoon. Iowa State media relations associate Mike Green said neither would
say if they hired an agent.
Stinson, a second-team all-Big 12 selection during the Cyclones' 16-14 season,
averaged 19.4 points, 5.5 assists and 2.4 steals a game. Blalock, a third-team
pick, averaged 15.4 points, 6.1 assists and 2.1 steals.
Marcus Fizer became a first-round selection by the Chicago Bulls in 2000 after
his junior season at Iowa State.
Stinson and Blalock are projected to be second-round picks by various Internet
draft boards.
Last month, Stinson, 23, vowed to remain at Iowa State.
"I always said I'd be here for four years," Stinson said at a news conference. "I
never said I was leaving in three or two years. I'm going to be here playing
basketball.
". . . I'm a player, and I'm playing for four years. I think Will (Blalock) will be here,
too. We're together. We're a family - we're going to stay as a family."
The Cyclones will be strapped in the backcourt, given Stinson and Blalock
combined for 45 percent of the team's scoring this season. Backup guard
Tasheed Carr announced plans to transfer before the Big 12 tournament.