Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Glen Davis announced on Monday that he will stay at LSU for another season and began off-season workouts with the defending SEC champions immediately after the press conference to announce his decision.

Also, at the same press conference, SEC Freshman of the Year Tyrus Thomas announced that he will forego his remaining college eligibility and will enter the June 28 NBA draft. Thomas also announced that he has retained the services of San Diego/Philadelphia agent firm of Elfus and Siegel (ESM Management) to represent him in his plans to join the NBA.

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The 2006 NBA Draft will be held Wednesday, June 28, in Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Davis, a Wooden Award All-American, and the second straight LSU player to win the SEC Freshman and Player of the Year Awards in back-to-back seasons averaged a league leading 18.6 points per game and a league best 9.7 rebounds per game with a field goal percentage of 49.5 (250-of-505) that was fourth best in the conference. He was just the fifth player in the SEC since 1961 to lead the league in both scoring and rebounding.

Thomas, in his redshirt freshman season, blossomed as an athlete blocking more shots in a single season than any LSU player other than Shaquille O’Neal. Thomas was named the MVP of the NCAA Atlanta regional after getting nine points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks in the semifinal win over Duke and 21 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in the regional final win over Texas. He averaged 12.3 points per game, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. He made 60.8 percent of his field goal attempts (152-of-250). He was 20th in the SEC in scoring, second in rebounds and led the league in blocks per game.

Here are the opening statements made by both Davis and Thomas, along with comments by LSU Coach John Brady at the press conference:

LSU HEAD COACH JOHN BRADY

Opening Statement…

“I’ve got to be honest with you, I’ve got two daughters that I care about a great deal. I put one of them on a plane to go to Washington, D.C., for the week for spring break. I sent my oldest to Destin this past weekend. I don’t have any sons. I don’t have any young guys other than the ones I coach. Sitting here today by these two guys (Tyrus Thomas and Glen Davis) and the team in front of me, I feel like a proud parent. I’m proud of the team, and I’m proud of these two guys. I can’t tell you how much it means to me for them to be here and share their plans with you.”

On the decisions of Tyrus Thomas and Glen Davis…

“I opened this up by saying I feel like a proud dad with two great guys on either side and a great group of guys I was able to coach this year. We’ve had several players at LSU leave early and go to the NBA. What I hope that people understand is that when players come to LSU, they get better and they improve in a lot of ways. All the time it’s not easy. It wasn’t the easiest thing for this young man (Tyrus Thomas) to respond to coaching and grow a little bit. He had his bumps in the road, but I’m so proud of where he is right now and the future and what it can hold for him. This is all good. It’s good that he’s doing what he’s doing, and it’s good that this young man (Glen Davis) is doing what he’s doing on my left here.”

“We’ve seen both of these young men grow up in Baton Rouge. We’ve seen them develop. We’ve seen them grow. We’ve seen them both mature. They were on one of the most special teams that LSU basketball has ever had this year. Glen’s going to come back and do it one more time. He’s gathered all his information and he feels that’s the best thing for him. He’s got my total support in that. It’s the same way with Tyrus and his family. They’ve got their information. I tell you what I appreciate about both these guys and the people that care for them the most is they’ve been honest with me the whole way. They’ve kept me informed. We’ve talked about it. I really appreciate that respect that they’ve given me as a coach, and I’ve been on the other end where nobody tells the coach and nobody wants to talk to the coaches. In this particular case, I think it’s a testament to the character that both these young guys have.”

“Tyrus is going to be successful, there’s no question in my mind. Glen Davis is going to be successful, there’s no doubt in my mind. I think the statement that’s made here and what continues to be made here is that players we’ve had here in the past, the players that are here now and the players that are going to come here, the statement is made that the players who come to LSU and play basketball do get better and they improve.”

DAVIS AND THOMAS PRESS CONFERENCE

TYRUS THOMAS OPENING STATEMENT…

“I just want to thank everybody for being here: my teammates, coaches, family and all the administrators I have been in contact with the past two years who have helped me become a better person and player. I just want to let LSU fans know that last night I officially gave up my college eligibility by singing with Elfus-Siegel Management and I will be entering the 2006 draft.”

On making the decision to enter the NBA draft…

“I know I have to improve mentally and physically. I just think when you’re hot you’re hot and right now a lot of people are high on me. I feel I need to take advantage of this opportunity. I am in a great position to do great things for myself, my family, the city of Baton Rouge and the state of Louisiana.”

“I know I can become a better college player and I can accomplish some other personal goals. But as far as on the NBA level, which is my ultimate goal, I can’t really improve my stock. I figured I should jump at the opportunity now and just work hard like I have been doing to become a better player.”

On signing with an agent…

 “I thought hard about it but I knew what I wanted to do in my heart. I figured by signing with an agent and taking that step I can accomplish things faster on the business side of things.”

On finishing school…

“I am going to be finishing this semester. I am still in my classes. At some point I do wish to come back and get a degree. I plan on finishing my classes on a good note this semester.”

On talking to his teammates about his decision…

“Not only did I talk to Glen but my teammates as well because those guys were with me everyday. We battled together, worked together and I felt like I was kind of obligated to discuss those things with them because we had a bond. They all knew where I stood and they know just because I am not going to be there doesn’t mean the clock is going to stop ticking. I just hope you guys (teammates) remember the taste of UCLA and get back there next year.”

GLEN DAVIS OPENING STATEMENT…

“I want to open up by thanking god for allowing me to be in the position I am in right now. Just to be around this great group of people. I have grown up a lot, thought things out and have prayed about it. I have come to the conclusion that I am not finished yet. There are a lot of things I want to accomplish not only as a player but as a person. Furthermore, I feel that college is the best time of (From page 9A)

my life. I feel that staying at LSU will help me mentally and physically. I just want to make it clear that I will be here next year to further my education and to be with a group of family members-my teammates.” 

On what factors helped him make his decision…

“There were a lot of things. With all the things we accomplished this year I felt it put my name out and I had a chance of getting picked. But I felt like I wanted to leave here knowing I was the best player I could be. When you are in this business it is all about getting facts because there are a lot of people who can tell you the wrong things. I prayed about it and just went with my gut instinct that being here was going to help me become the player that I wanted to be.”

On how not winning a national championship affected his decision…

“The road to the Final Four was a great experience. I have grown up tremendously dealing with such hostile environments and getting a chance to meet the people I have met. The feeling of being there (Final Four) and playing in that last game leaves a terrible taste in your mouth and one that you will never forget. Losing like that is going to affect you.  Me being the guy that I am, being a competitor you always want to leave on top.”

On talking to his teammates about his decision…

“Tyrus was one of the first people I told about my decision. He gave me advice on what I should do. I talked to my teammates who gave me some good information and some food for thought so I would not make the wrong decision.”