Austin, Texas ? T.J. Ford, the All-American point guard who led a resurgent Texas team to the Final Four for the first time in 56 years, will forgo his final two years and enter the NBA draft.

“It’s been a real tough decision,” Ford said Thursday at a news conference as he sat next to coach Rick Barnes.

Ford said he didn’t make his final decision until Wednesday night although published reports as early as Tuesday had speculated he would leave.

“I feel like I’m making the right decision. I’m not shaky about it at all,” Ford said.

He said it was difficult to give up a college career he enjoyed but ultimately decided to chase a life-long dream to play in the NBA. Ford raised eyebrows in the room by wearing the football jersey of his friend Longhorns junior wide receiver Roy Williams, who spurned his chance to turn pro early and will return for his senior season.

Ford said the gimmick was merely to try to promote his friend.

Ford, who said he has not hired an agent, is projected as a lottery pick in the June 26 draft and is likely to be among the first guards selected.

During the season, Ford said he was “110 percent” sure he would return. After Texas lost to eventual national champion Syracuse in the semifinals, center James Thomas said, “We’re going to have the same team all over again.”