Cotton Expected to Decide Basketball Future Today

James Cotton is expected to announce today whether he will forgo his final season of eligibility at Long Beach State and declare himself eligible for the NBA draft, his parents said Sunday.

Cotton, a two-time All-Big West Conference guard, and his parents, James and Gaynell, plan to meet with Long Beach Coach Wayne Morgan and Athletic Director Bill Shumard today. Cotton’s parents said James probably will inform Long Beach officials of his decision at that time, although they would not indicate Sunday which way he’s leaning.

“Everything should be done [today],” Cotton’s father said. “We want to get this taken care of.”

Some NBA draft analysts project Cotton, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound junior, to be selected toward the end of the first round. Cotton was second in the Big West in scoring this season, averaging 23 points. He led the conference in scoring as a sophomore and also was selected the Big West’s freshman of the year.