Junior Center Kevin Lyde Opts For NBA Draft

PHILADELPHIA  Junior center Kevin Lyde, a member of the Temple

University basketball team since his enrollment in the fall of 1998,

announced today that he will forego his senior year with the Owls to

make himself available for the upcoming NBA draft.

"I believe honestly I can play at the next level," said Lyde. "It's not

anything in particular, I just feel like I'm ready. I don't know exactly

what I am faced with and I don't know where I am going, but it has been

my decision and I will live with it. I do know I have to get into great

shape and I have to get quicker on my feet. Playing in the NBA has

always been my dream and I'll work hard for it."

The 6-foot-9-inch 260-pound Lyde played three seasons under Coach John

Chaney and the Owls flourished during his career. Over the past three

seasons with Lyde in the starting lineup, Temple posted a win-loss mark

of 70-27 (.722), advanced to three consecutive Atlantic 10 Conference

Tournament finals (1999-2001), won two Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament

championships (2000, 2001), qualified for three straight appearances in

the NCAA Tournament, advanced to two NCAA Regional Finals (East Region

in 1999; South Region in 2001) and an NCAA second round game (East

Region in 2000).

"I've never had a player of Kevin's magnitude," said Chaney, "and I am

very proud of him. He has the best hands I've ever seen. (The team that

selects him) won't have to worry about his rebounding ability; he's the

best we've ever had. And if he's in good health, he can block shots,

too."

A second team All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection in the recently

concluded 2000-01 season, Lyde averaged 12.8 points and led the Owls

with 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Over his three-year

collegiate career, Lyde appeared in 101 games, started 97 times,

averaged 9.0 points and 7.5 rebounds. He concluded his final season as

the nation's leading offensive rebounder (4.5 per game through the

regular season) and was named to both the Atlantic 10 Conference and

NCAA South Regional All-Tournament teams.

Temple University Athletics