UCLA's Shipp decides to test NBA draft value

By Diane Pucin; Chris Dufresne

April 28, 2008 12 AM PT

From Times Staff and Wire Reports

Josh Shipp became the fourth UCLA starter to make himself eligible for the NBA draft.

Seven hours before the 9 p.m. deadline to enter his name, UCLA released a statement Sunday from Shipp, who is a redshirt junior with one more season of eligibility.

“After speaking with my family and with Coach [Ben] Howland, I think I should test the NBA waters to get some feedback,” Shipp said. “I feel like it really can’t hurt me at this time.”

Shipp, a 6-foot-5 swingman, averaged 12.2 points per game this season. Shipp, who played at Fairfax High, has undergone two hip surgeries in the last 30 months and went through a prolonged shooting slump during the second half of this season. At one point, Shipp missed 20 consecutive three-point shots.

He said during the season that his shooting slump was more a factor of opponents guarding him better and insisted his hips were fine.

Like teammates Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Shipp said he would not hire an agent. Underclassmen who don’t hire an agent and remain in good academic standing can withdraw from the June 26 draft by June 16 and retain their college eligibility.

-- Diane Pucin

Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet plans to return for his junior year instead of opting for the NBA draft.

TENNIS

Nadal defeats Federer for his first title of year

Second-ranked Rafael Nadal won his first title of the season, defeating top-ranked Roger Federer, 7-5, 7-5, to improve to 7-1 against Federer on clay in winning his fourth consecutive Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco.

Federer blew leads of 4-3 in the first set and 4-0 in the second set. Nadal is the only player in the Open era to win four straight titles at Monte Carlo.

Defending champion Russia advanced to its fourth Fed Cup final in five years, clinching its best-of-five semifinal series against the U.S. when Vera Zvonareva rallied to defeat Vania King, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, to give the Russians an insurmountable 3-0 lead at Moscow. Russia will play Spain in the final.

GOLF

Sorenstam prevails on first playoff hole

Annika Sorenstam made a par on the first playoff hole to beat Paula Creamer in the Stanford International Pro-Am in Aventura, Fla. Sorenstam (70) erased a one-hole deficit before winning for the 71st time on the LPGA Tour. They finished at eight-under 275. Lorena Ochoa, the world’s top-ranked player, skipped the event.

Adam Scott made a nine-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to force a playoff, then made a 48-footer playing it again on the third playoff hole to beat Ryan Moore in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas.

It was his sixth PGA Tour victory and first this season.

Moore closed with a two-under 68 to match Scott (71) at seven-under 273. Bart Bryant (72) was four shots back.

Tom Watson and Andy North teamed for a better-ball 64 to edge Craig Stadler and Jeff Sluman by one stroke at 31-under 185 in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in Savannah, Ga. Stadler and Sluman shot a 61.

MISCELLANY

BCS commissioners to consider ‘Plus One’

A modified college football playoff “Plus One” model, as promised in January by incoming BCS coordinator John Swofford, will be discussed at the annual Bowl Championship Series commissioners meetings this week. Yet, the plan seemingly has little chance of succeeding as long as the Pacific 10 and Big Ten conferences remain opposed.

Swofford said on a conference call Friday that any changes to the format would have to be made by unanimous consent of the 11 commissioners. While most college officials remain opposed to an NFL-style playoff, four of the six major conferences are willing to consider a modified extension to the season.

The most popular Plus One model would involve seeding the top four schools in the final BCS standings, with the winners playing for the title.

-- Chris Dufresne

Second-seeded Pepperdine will play third-seeded Long Beach State at 8 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals of the NCAA men’s volleyball championship at UC Irvine.

Top-seeded Penn State will play fourth-seeded Ohio State at 6.

Carli Lloyd’s goal in the 91st minute gave the U.S. a 3-2 victory over Australia in a women’s soccer exhibition game at Cary, N.C.

The Australians had scored twice in the final six minutes to rally from a 2-0 deficit and tie it in the 88th minute.