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Two Bulls to return for unfinished business

Altron Jackson and B.B. Waldon want to earn degrees, make the Bulls better and improve their NBA stock before leaving.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 28, 2001

TAMPA -- Saying they still want to accomplish some things in college, South Florida junior forwards Altron Jackson and B.B. Waldon said Tuesday they will return for their final season of eligibility.

At a news conference, Jackson and Waldon said a desire to earn their degrees and the understanding that neither is ready for the NBA contributed to their decisions.

"Me and B.B. have unfinished business we need to take care of," said Jackson, a first-team All-Conference USA selection. "I think both of us have a chance to get our degree ... and I think we can put this program on the map and we can do a great job doing it."

Waldon, the seventh-leading scorer in the conference this season with an average of 17.1 points per game, said he didn't feel the need to hurry to the professional level.

"I'm not in a rush to fulfill a dream that I always wanted to fulfill," Waldon said. "I'm in the same position as Altron. There are a lot of things I need to do to make my game better and make myself a better person. And an education is one of my main goals. What I'm going to do here is finish out this year strong, come back next year with a better season than we had this past year, maybe make it to the NCAA Tournament, then finish it off with a degree."

Coach Seth Greenberg said the decision benefits the players and USF.

"We're fortunate that in today's day and age, these guys want to stay for the right reasons," Greenberg said. "Both are in a position to be graduates of this university, but both guys need to continue to work on their games and are committed to working on their games. Also, they came here with a goal and a vision in mind, and they want to fulfill that goal and that vision."

Jackson was the leading scorer in C-USA (18.9). According to NBADraft.net, the junior from Sarasota is the fifth-best prospect in the class of 2002. Waldon also is listed as a prospect. Greenberg said if either had been a sure lottery pick, the news conference would have been to announce their departure.

"If you can be a lottery pick, it's not a choice," Greenberg said. "Because the way the thing is slotted for a lottery pick and the amount of money you're going to make, if you invest it wisely, you're going to be set for life. But if you're somewhere between 22 and 29 or the beginning of the second round, it's a bad career decision. I've talked to enough people in the league regarding Altron and B.B. to know pretty much where they stand."

Both players realized they weren't ready for the NBA. "I need to improve my strength, every part of my game -- free throws, jump shots, dribbling, all the things that are needed for that level," Waldon said. "You can't come in the league and not be able to shoot free throws and play defense. There are a lot of things I need to work on. That's one reason that I stayed because I don't feel like I'm ready for that level."

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