It’s 3D-day today at Kansas University.

That’s “Drew’s Decision Day,” of course.

Kansas University junior Drew Gooden at 4 p.m. today at Hadl Auditorium on KU’s campus will announce his decision to either enter the 2002 NBA Draft or return to Mount Oread for his senior season.

It’s long been presumed the 6-foot-10 Gooden will opt for the NBA, the Richmond, Calif., native himself saying during the 2001-02 season he’d “probably” be playing professional basketball next year.

But it’s all speculation  fodder for the rumor mill  until Gooden himself today makes known his future plans.

“Gag order. (There’s a) gag order,” declared Calvin Andrews, Gooden’s former AAU coach and close personal friend. “People out there are making a lot of assumptions. Anybody who says they know is just assuming.”

Asked to give his official take on the situation, Andrews said: “He is a great kid. He’s had a helluva season. He loves KU. He’d like to win a championship. He can’t make a bad decision either way.”

Gooden is expected to be a top-five pick in the 2002 Draft. Most project him being tabbed between No. 3 and 5 overall.

“I haven’t come across anyone who thinks he is going to stay (for his senior year),” one NBA official told the Journal-World. “The consensus is he’s going to declare (for draft). But nobody in the NBA ever thinks a top-five pick is going to return to school. We (NBA officials) assume you are coming out if you are a top pick.”

ESPN announcer Dick Vitale said he’d also heard Gooden was coming out, but just through the grapevine, no official sources.

“I think it’s anticipated and expected,” Vitale said of Gooden’s leaving. “He’s had a brilliant year. He can score inside and out and probably is ready to contribute in the NBA rather than some of the kids who are drafted only on potential.

“Some kids do stay in school. I immediately think of Grant Hill, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Shane Battier, Jason Williams … kids who thought college was more important than the NBA. They are all multi-millionaires who still have a college degree.”

Duke’s Jason Williams is leaving after three seasons, but will gain his degree this summer.

Gooden family members weren’t about to reveal Drew’s decision Thursday night, if indeed they knew the decision.

“What I’m saying is I will be the proud grandfather of a KU graduate or the next millionaire,” Andy Gooden, Drew’s grandfather, said, laughing. “You know it’s his decision and his only. He will make the announcement whatever time he makes it. If he’s made it, it’s been made this week.”

His mom said recently: “It’s hard to tell what’s in the boy’s mind. Like what coach Williams said, nobody would stay at KU if offered that kind of money,” Ulla Lear said, referring to Roy Williams’ message to fans at KU’s recent awards celebration. “(Yet) He is having the best time of his life. He told me Lawrence is a second home now. You get attached. It’s hard to leave.”

If Gooden does declare today, it assuredly will be with a heavy heart. He’s said many times how much fun he had this season.

“No matter how much success Drew Gooden may have, no matter what he does next year … the NBA is not Allen Fieldhouse,” ESPN’s Vitale said. “I will never forget sitting four rows behind Elton Brand (who left Duke after two years) watching the (2001) national championship game between Duke and Arizona.

“I saw the look on his face of unbelievable disappointment that he was not on the court cutting down the nets. He knew he could be part of that team. He knew deep down he was missing something. Cash is something that still will be there.

“You can’t trade playing in the special places  places like Allen Fieldhouse  for anything. (That said,) Drew is so legitimate, if he decides to go you wish him the best. It’s not like some of these guys who have come out and been undrafted and left bitterly disappointed.”

College players have until May 12 to declare for the draft. Players can withdraw their names until June 19 if they do not sign with an agent. The draft is June 26 in New York.