THOMPSON'S OPTIONS OPEN UCLA JUNIOR TO ENTER DRAFT, BUT HE COULD RETURN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Even as UCLA's Dijon Thompson spoke during a Wednesday morning news conference to announce his plans to enter the NBA Draft, the junior wing said he expected to be in Westwood for his senior season.

Thompson said he will not sign with an agent and is enrolled in classes for the spring quarter so he can remain eligible. He has until June 17 to withdraw from the NBA Draft, which is June 24, and many people within UCLA's program believe Thompson, who led the Bruins in scoring with 14.4 points per game, will be back next season.

``I think I just owe it to myself entering my senior season to see where I stand,'' said the 6-foot-7, 197-pound Thompson, who shared the team's MVP award with T.J. Cummings at the basketball awards dinner Wednesday night. ``As of now, I would consider myself coming back, as far as taking classes in the spring and working out with my teammates.''

Thompson even said he doesn't consider himself an NBA-caliber player at this point.

``That's why I'm going to Chicago (for a predraft camp),'' he said. ``To see where I stand.''

UCLA coach Ben Howland said Thompson sent a survey to the NBA for an evaluation by a panel of general managers, NBA scouting director Marty Blake and NBA senior vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson. The survey must be returned by May 3, and Thompson must formally apply for the draft by May 10.

``I think it (would be) prudent to look and see where the survey is, but he's anxious to get his name out there,'' Howland said.

Thompson should know where he stands around June 8-11 when the NBA holds its predraft camp. Sixty of the top college seniors, international and high school players, as well as select college underclassmen, will participate in the camp.

As the camp concludes, Jackson and Blake will meet with each player to discuss their future. A year ago, St. Joseph's Jameer Nelson attended the camp and was told to remain in school. Nelson returned to the Hawks and was named the Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

The roster for the invitations will be sent out after the May 10 deadline.

``An invitation to Chicago is not a given,'' Blake said. ``It will be very difficult for most undergraduates to be invited to Chicago.''

Thompson, an All-Pacific-10 honorable mention pick, shot 43.5 percent from the field and averaged 4.3 rebounds for the 11-17 Bruins.

--And, finally: In addition to being named the team's co-MVP, Cummings won the Bob ``Ace'' Calkins Memorial Award as the team's top free-throw shooter (86.3 percent).

The Ducky Drake Memorial award for spirit, inspiration and unselfishness went to Jon Crispin; Cedric Bozeman won the J.D. Morgan Memorial Award (outstanding team play); Josiah Johnson the UCLA Alumni Association Award (academic achievement and team contribution); Ryan Hollins won the Bruin Bench Basketball Award (most improved); Trevor Ariza won the Seymour Armond Memorial Award (most valuable freshman); and Brian Morrison won the Irv Pohlmeyer Memorial Award (outstanding defensive player).

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

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