MSU’s Austin signs with agent for NBA

Starkville, Miss. — Mississippi State center Mario Austin signed with an agent and will enter the NBA draft.

He will be represented by Bill Duffy, said Nicole Grubbs, a spokeswoman for BDA Sports Management.

Austin, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound junior, averaged 15.5 points and 7.7 rebounds this season. He missed the team’s first six games after the NCAA reopened a 2-year-old case regarding his initial eligibility as a freshman.

After Mississippi State lost to Butler in the NCAA Tournament, Austin said he decided to return for his senior season.

Last spring, Austin withdrew from classes and considered turning pro for several weeks before choosing to return for his junior season.

Austin told The Clarion-Ledger he made his recent comments about staying at Mississippi State to stop questions about his future. He said he is confident he will be a lottery pick.

“That makes a lot of difference as opposed to last year, when I would have been a second-round pick,” he said.

Jackson State taps Anderson as coach

Jackson, Miss. — Jackson State will introduce Tevester Anderson as its new basketball coach today. The 66-year-old Anderson left Murray State last month after five seasons. He went 103-52 and led Murray State to two Ohio Valley Conference championships and two NCAA Tournaments.

Anderson has worked as an assistant at Murray State, Georgia and Auburn.

Jackson State let Andy Stoglin leave after 14 years as coach. His record was 197-216, with two trips to the NCAA Tournament.

Jackson State went 10-18 this season.

Gophers’ Rickert declares for draft

Minneapolis — Minnesota star Rick Rickert made himself available for the NBA draft Tuesday but won’t hire an agent immediately so he has the option of returning to school. The sophomore was the Big Ten’s preseason player of the year and led the Gophers in scoring with 15 points per game.

Minnesota failed to make the NCAA Tournament. As long as he doesn’t hire an agent, Rickert has until June 19 to withdraw his name from the draft.