Kapono Still Weighing His Options

Tonight, while they watch the Lakers play the Phoenix Suns on television, Jason Kapono will talk with his father, Joe, about playing in the NBA.

Next season.

Kapono, a 6-foot-7 forward, is expected to tell UCLA Coach Steve Lavin later tonight or Saturday that he will spurn his last three Bruin seasons to make himself available for the NBA draft.

His father said Thursday that despite reports to the contrary no decision has yet been made.

“The last time we talked about it was a month ago, and he said then he was going back to UCLA,” Joe Kapono said of his son.

A lot has happened since then, including the defection of two of Kapono’s teammates. JaRon Rush and Jerome Moiso have said they are leaving school early.

That would leave UCLA with only point guard Earl Watson and center Dan Gadzuric as returning starters, a factor in Kapono’s decision.

Another factor has been contact with myriad NBA-related personnel including draft gurus, agents and scouts. From them, Kapono is drawing a sense of his draft worth.

“It’s always a gamble,” Joe Kapono said. “But if it’s first round, he would probably go. If it’s later, then he might not.”

The research will continue and intensify, because Kapono’s decision is not irrevocable. The deadline for declaring himself eligible for the draft is Sunday, but he would have until June 21--a week before the draft--to remove himself from that eligibility list, as long as he doesn’t retain an agent.

In the interim, he can work out for teams, meet with their officials and otherwise sell himself to the NBA.

“There’s really nothing to lose,” Joe Kapono said.

That research will be somewhat difficult, because he has played only one college season and a decision to end his career there is something of a recent development. Kapono averaged 16 points a game for the Bruins, making 51.9% of his shots. His 47.4% shooting from three-point range led the Pacific 10 Conference, and his 82 three-pointers was a school record and a Pac-10 freshman mark.

The three-point work is also a factor in his decision, because the anticipated NBA draft pool is not deep in shooters.

“There’s also the injury factor,” Joe Kapono said. “He hasn’t been injured--a couple of sprained ankles--but you never know.”

UCLA officials are mum on the issue until Kapono announces his decision, but Lavin is expected to continue his efforts to keep Kapono in school.

For Kapono, though, it’s a chance to move up his career timetable.

“It’s been his dream,” Joe Kapono said. “He hasn’t had two days in a row since he was 11 years old without a ball in his hand.”