PITTSBURGH All-America center DeJuan Blair of Pitt will declare for the NBA draft but has not yet hired an agent, leaving the possibility he could return for his junior season.

Blair is projected as a mid- to late first-round pick, but his status could change once he goes through the NBA's various pre-draft workouts. If he doesn't hire an agent, Blair would have until June 15 to withdraw his name from the June 25 draft.

Pittsburgh attorney James Cook issued a news release today saying he will advise Blair in the pre-draft process, before Blair picks an agent. Among Cook's former or current clients are Memphis assistant Orlando Antigua, a former Pitt assistant coach, and boxer Roy Jones Jr.

"DeJuan Blair is Pittsburgh through and through, from the junior program J.O.T.S. through Schenley High School to the University of Pittsburgh," Cook said in the statement. "We are confident that he will make the city of Pittsburgh proud and enjoy a long NBA career."

Pitt officials did not immediately comment on Cook's statement, but Blair and Pitt coach Jamie Dixon called a 4 p.m. news conference to discuss Blair's status.

Dixon apparently is planning as if he won't have Blair on his team next season. This past season, Blair helped Pitt to its first No. 1 national ranking, its first No. 1 seeding in the NCAA tournament and its first trip to the NCAA round of eight in 35 years.

By The Associated Press