Sampson III Staying In NBA Draft

Gopher center Ralph Sampson III has likely decided to stay in the NBA draft.  Sampson III needed to take his name out of the NBA draft list Sunday but he reportedly did not and will stay eligible for the NBA draft.  His AAU coach said Sampson II will test the draft.  He forgoes his senior year of eligibility.  He averaged 10.2 points a game this past season.  The Gophers will likely turn to sophomore Maurice Walker and redshirt freshman Elliott Eliason at the center position in 2011-2012.  Power forward Trevor Mbakwe will return to Minnesota for his senior season.