National Basketball Association

Louisville's Samuels staying in NBA draft

Published May. 5, 2010 3:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

Louisville center Samardo Samuels will hire an agent and remain in the NBA draft.

Samuels averaged 15.3 points and 7.0 rebounds during his sophomore season with the Cardinals. He announced last month he would explore his options before deciding whether to return to Louisville for his junior year.

Samuels came to the Cardinals as one of the top high school players in the country two seasons ago, but he struggled to play consistently.

He was a third-team All-Big East selection last year, but was sometimes criticized by Louisville coach Rick Pitino for not playing strong enough around the basket.