Stillwater, Okla ? After the most prolific three-year career in Oklahoma State history, Big 12 player of the year James Anderson plans to skip his senior season and enter the NBA Draft.

Anderson announced his decision Monday at a news conference at Gallagher-Iba Arena, saying “I believe now is the time for me to pursue my dreams by playing in the NBA.”

Anderson averaged a Big 12-best 22.3 points per game while leading the Cowboys into the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year. The versatile 6-foot-6 guard was an overwhelming choice as the league’s player of the year, earning the selection ahead of such stars as Kansas University’s Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, and Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen.

“I believe now it’s time to test my basketball skills against the best players in the world,” Anderson said. “I have worked hard to improve my abilities over the last three years. … I believe that I am fully prepared both athletically and emotionally for the challenge of playing in the NBA.”

College basketball

Lucas to miss rest of NCAAs

Detroit — Michigan State star Kalin Lucas will miss the rest of the NCAA Tournament after an MRI has confirmed he ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon.

Memphis appeal rejected

Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis must vacate its record 38-win men’s basketball season from 2007-08 after the NCAA rejected its appeal.

The NCAA announced Monday that its Infractions Appeal Committee ruled against Memphis, which was found to use an ineligible player, believed to be Derrick Rose. The Tigers lost in overtime to Kansas University in the national title game that season.

Penders resigns at UH

Houston — Tom Penders resigned as coach at Houston on Monday, ending a six-year tenure that culminated in the Cougars’ first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1992.

Some already have speculated that athletic director Mack Rhoades is eyeing former Kentucky and Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie, with whom he worked at UTEP.

Baseball

Mauer signs big deal

Fort Myers, Fla. — Sitting a few feet from the people who inspired him to become one of the games best players, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer became one of the game’s highest-paid ones as well. The 26-year-old Mauer signed an $184 million, eight-year contract extension Monday.

Courts

Ingram’s dad gets 2 years

Central Islip, N.Y. — Mark Ingram Sr., a star NFL player in the 1990s and the father of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram Jr., was sentenced Monday to more than two additional years in federal prison for jumping bail in an attempt to see his son play in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.