J. R. Reid of North Carolina announced...

J. R. Reid of North Carolina announced that he will give up his final year of college eligibility and make himself available for next month’s National Basketball Assn. draft.

“I have to do what’s best for J. R. Reid,” the forward said at a news conference in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Reid said he persuaded his mother that turning pro would be best for him after previously promising her that he would work toward his degree next year.

He said that Coach Dean Smith had advised him to go for the draft this year because he felt he would go higher than he would next year. The coach has said he talked with 11 NBA teams about Reid.

Reid must declare in writing by Saturday that he will be available for the draft June 27.