COMPTON, CALIFORNIA (TICKER) -- Tyson Chandler, a 7-foot, 220-pound center from Dominguez High School, has decided to enter the NBA draft and could be the top overall pick in June. According to a school spokesman, Chandler announced his plans this past weekend. He averaged 26 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks per game as a senior. Dominguez won the California State Division II title without Chandler, who missed the final two games with a sprained ankle. The school spokesman said Chandler could have played but did not want to risk further injury. The first underclassman to declare for the draft this season, Chandler told the Long Beach Press-Telegram that he decided long ago to skip college but did not want to make it harder on his teammates. "I'm very satisfied with my decision," he told the newspaper. "My life is basketball. This is something I've been dreaming of for a long time. And now, I can actually play the sport full time." Chandler has been rumored as a possible No. 1 pick, along with fellow high school 7-footer Eddy Curry of Illinois and heralded big man Ying Mao of China. Curry has not yet declared for the NBA draft and Mao's eligibility is a bit muddled. If Chandler, Curry and Mao are the top three picks on June 27, it will mark the first time in NBA history that a college player was not selected with one of the first three selections. Chandler would become the 13th player to skip college since 1996, joining NBA stars Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady, among others. Darius Miles and DeShawn Stevenson did it last year. ------------------ "Eat your kids, play with your dinner and join the chat" - Dr of Dunk gives a public sevice announcement at the request of Mike Tyson .
