news-record.com

Wake Forest sophomore James Johnson says he will declare for the NBA draft early this week, according to the Cheyenne, Wyo., Tribune Eagle.

"My mind's made up; I'm going to enter," the Cheyenne East graduate said by phone. "I think I'm ready now.

"If I sign with an agent and get into a training camp, it will help me out a lot. I just want to work hard and go as far as I can."

Johnson, 22, said he is in the process of interviewing agents. Signing with an agent would prevent him from returning to Wake Forest. The draft is June 25.

Johnson said he expected to meet with Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio over the weekend and schedule a news conference for this week to announce his decision.

"I've already talked to coach Gaudio and (assistant Pat) Kelsey and let them know," Johnson said. "Coach Kelsey was a big reason I'm here, and I worked hard to get here.

"I've told them I've been lucky to be coached by them. They know this is best for my career, but they're sad I've got to go."

Johnson started 59 of the 61 games he played at Wake Forest and averaged 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds.

UCONN: Coach Jim Calhoun has always said he would not make any decisions about his future after a tough defeat.

But the disappointment of losing to the underdog Spartans, coupled with frustration over allegations that Calhoun's program violated NCAA recruiting rules, bubbled over after the Huskies' 82-73 loss to Michigan State Saturday night.

"Those kind of things, that's why Dean Smith told me at 67 he got out," Calhoun said, referring to North Carolina's retired Hall of Fame coach. "It wasn't basketball. It was the other things.

"I love the kids, love the game. I don't plan to go anyplace. But I'm going to give a lot of reflection, maybe more reflection than normal, because of that," the 66-year Hall of Famer said.

Yahoo! Sports recently reported former Connecticut recruit Nate Miles was given lodging, transportation, meals and representation by sports agent Josh Nochimson, and that a UConn assistant coach knew about the relationship between player and agent.

MAGIC TOUCH: Magic Johnson's jaw dropped and his head swiveled when he saw how Ford Field was set up for basketball.

No, you're not in Utah anymore.

"Wow," he said.

When Johnson led Michigan State to the 1979 title over Larry Bird and Indiana State, the game was in Salt Lake City.

"THAT," he said, "was nothing like this."

Johnson walked around the court, looking for his seats, with his father and other members of his family.

WOMEN

UCONN HAS TOP PLAYER, COACH: In a season in which the Connecticut women's basketball team has run through its opponents, it's no surprise the Huskies won both major individual awards.

Maya Moore became the second sophomore ever to win The Associated Press' player of the year. She averaged 19.2 points and 8.9 rebounds to help UConn within two victories of the third undefeated season in school history.

Huskies coach Geno Auriemma, who has guided the team to five national championships, picked up his sixth Associated Press coach of the year award.

"It never gets old," Auriemma said.

SOUTH FLORIDA WINS WNIT: Jazmine Sepulveda scored 18 points and Shantia Grace had 16, leading South Florida to a 75-71 victory over Kansas in the WNIT finals.