Gadzuric Says He Plans to Stay

Dan Gadzuric’s first extended collegiate stretch without knee problems has been a boost to his NBA stock, but the Bruin center said he has no intention of turning pro after his sophomore season.

“I’m not considering this being my last year,” he said. “I’d rather go at least another year and also finish school. That’s my priority. Obviously the NBA is in my mind somewhere. It is a goal, but not right away. Right now, I’m thinking about getting my degree and playing college basketball.”

Gadzuric is currently regarded as a second-round pick, partly because he came to UCLA as a major pro prospect but has not developed much, if at all, and partly because of doubts about his tendinitis-plagued knees. But the durability issue has been at least slightly put to rest because he has not sat out any games, though he rests during some practices.

In fact, there has been only one real instance in which his knees have been an issue, a hyperextension last week against Arizona. Otherwise, since tendinitis cost him a bulk of the preseason workouts, there has been only the day-after soreness common to many players.

“I’ve been very pleased about it,” he said. “It’s been working out real good compared to last year.

“It’s getting better too. The training room is helping me out a lot. I go there every day. They treat it real good.”

He is still averaging only 23.6 minutes a game, but that is up from 20 in 1998-99. Gadzuric has also increased his scoring from 8.6 to 9.5 points, his rebounding from 5.7 to 7.2, his blocks from 1.3 to 1.7 and his shooting, albeit barely, from 54% to 54.6%.

The numbers were good for third in the conference in blocks at the start of the week, fourth in shooting and seventh in rebounding.

TONIGHT

at Oregon, 5

Fox Sports Net

* Site--McArthur Court, Eugene, Ore.

* Radio--KXTA (1150).

* Records--Bruins 12-5, 3-3; Ducks 14-3, 5-1.

* Update--Oregon has won six of seven and moved within half a game of Arizona for the Pacific 10 Conference lead.