April 18, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis junior guard Chris Douglas-Roberts announced Friday that he will enter the 2008 NBA Draft and forego his final season of collegiate eligibility. The following are statements from Douglas-Roberts and Memphis head coach John Calipari, along with Detroit, Mich., native's highlights from the 2007-08 campaign:

DOUGLAS-ROBERTS STATEMENT ON ENTERING THE NBA DRAFT
"The past three years have been a great experience both on and off the court at the University of Memphis. I am truly grateful to the coaches and the University for giving me the opportunity to play and develop at Memphis, and I hope to represent them well in my NBA career. The ride that we all took together this year is what dreams are made of, and now I feel it is time to pursue my ultimate dream of playing in the NBA. Therefore, I am entering my name in the 2008 NBA Draft."

MEMPHIS HEAD COACH John Calipari ON Chris Douglas-Roberts
"As I was for Derrick (Rose) earlier this week, I am just as happy and excited for Chris and the opportunity that is ahead of him.

"Like in years past, I have said that during the season, it is about the team, and that after the season, it's about the individual players. Chris did just that this year. Chris - along with every player on the team - gave his all for the team this season, and we are grateful for what he did for this program.

"Since the season ended, Chris took time to evaluate his situation with his family. We support him in this decision, and we will continue to support him in any way possible."

DOUGLAS-ROBERTS 2007-08 HIGHLIGHTS
• Team's leading scorer with 18.1 ppg
• Tied for team lead with 49 steals and a 71.2 free throw percentage
• Led team from three-point line at 41.3 percent
• Shot 54.1 percent from the field and averaged 4.1 boards
• NCAA Tournament All-Tournament Team (Final Four)
• Conference USA Player of the Year
• 2007-08 consensus All-America first team pick (Associated Press, NABC, USBWA, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com and collegehoops.net)
• Also named to Naismith All-America team and Rivals.com All-America squad
• Oscar Robertson Trophy, Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy finalist
• USBWA District 4 Player of the Year
• NABC All-District 7 first team
• NCAA Tournament All-South Region Team pick
• Named to All-C-USA first team (second-straight year)
• C-USA All-Tournament Team (second-straight year)
• Went over 1,000 points for his career vs. Arizona
• Finished 2007-08 with 1,545 career points and is in the No. 9 spot on Memphis career scoring chart
• Averaged 23.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in NCAA Tournament
• Shot 49.4 percent from the field and 81 percent from the foul line in NCAA Tournament
• Netted 22 points vs. Kansas in NCAA Tournament title game
• Scored 28 points vs. UCLA in Final Four
• Netted 25 points vs. Texas in NCAA South Region final; set school NCAA marks for FTs made (14) and attempted (17)
• Scored 25 points vs. Michigan State in NCAA regional semis
• Netted 17 points vs. Miss. State; converted key 3-pt play to extend a 61-59 lead to 64-59
• Scored 23 points and grabbed seven boards vs. UT-Arlington; also had four assists
• Averaged 15.7 points in C-USA Tournament; shot 60 percent FG
• Scored 19 points and added six boards, four assists and four steals vs. SMU
• Had 22 points vs. Southern Miss; hit key trey with 2:42 left to extend a 66-61 lead to 69-61
• Averaged 24.3 points in four games from Feb. 13-23
• Named C-USA and collegehoops.net Player of the Week Feb. 11-17
• Averaged 27 points in the two wins over Houston and UAB
• Scored the last six points vs. UAB, including the game-winning three-point play with :06.5 left
• The 32-point game vs. UAB was his career best in C-USA play only
• Saw limited action vs. SMU and UCF due to flu-like symptoms
• Averaged 21.7 points in six games before Feb. 6; scored double figures in all six games
• Shot 60.5 percent FG and 43.8 percent treys in those six games
• Netted 30 points vs. Houston; hit a season-high 11 FTs
• Had 21 points, six boards, two assists and two steals vs. Gonzaga
• Set career marks for treys made (5) and attempted (6) vs. Siena
• Broke out of three-game slump (19 combined points) with an impressive 24-point, eight-rebound performance vs. Georgetown
• Scored five points in a 7-3 second-half run that extended a 63-54 lead to 70-57 with 5:34 left
• Had 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals vs. Southern Cal
• Selected Conference USA Player of the Week for Nov. 12-18
• Named Dick Vitale/ESPN.com Nat'l Player of the Week for Nov. 12-18
• Earned the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic MVP honor