Prep Star Declares for Draft

Brooklyn high school sensation Sebastian Telfair declared his eligibility for the NBA draft on Tuesday, ending months of speculation about his future.

The 18-year-old point guard, a projected first-round pick, had committed to Louisville, but signed with an agent and picked up a six-year endorsement deal with Adidas. Telfair said it was worth more than $15 million.

“I’m on cloud-40 right now,” Telfair said. “My dreams have come true and all my goals have come true.”

At 6 feet, he would become the shortest high school player selected in the draft, a challenge Telfair is prepared for.

“I’ve been dealing with my size all my life,” Telfair said. “It hasn’t stopped me yet and it’s not going to stop me now.”

Telfair moved up the projected draft board considerably after a spectacular senior season at Lincoln High, earning a McDonald’s All-American appearance and a Sports Illustrated cover story.

He outplayed possible No. 1 draft pick Dwight Howard in a February game against Southwest Christian Academy, scoring 30 points and making a game-winning three-pointer as time expired.

He finished his high school career with a New York state record 2,755 points and three consecutive PSAL championships, two more than his cousin, New York Knick guard Stephon Marbury.

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A month after leading Connecticut to an NCAA title, forward Emeka Okafor has the first endorsement deal of his impending professional basketball career as the new celebrity spokesman for the College Sports Television Network.

Financial details were not revealed.

Okafor will graduate this weekend with a degree in finance and a nearly 3.8 grade-point average after three years of college.