VCU's Sanders Declares, Will Hire Agent

Excerpt from the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

His mother was a consideration. A potential lockout in the NBA after next season was a consideration.

And when he put all that together with the probability of being a first-round draft pick, Virginia Commonwealth junior Larry Sanders came to the conclusion that financially it made sense to leave now for the NBA.

The 6-11 forward announced yesterday that he's departing VCU early to enter the draft. He will talk to agents next week and hire one, he said, meaning he will not be eligible to withdraw and return for his final season. He'll work out for NBA clubs before the June 24 draft.

"I just feel like I'm ready to take the next step," he said.

Sanders said he was "really anxious to take care" of his mother, Marilyn, who is a single parent.

"That'll definitely be the first thing I do," he said. "She's just so willing to sacrifice whatever is going on with her. She always puts me first."