Johnson enters draft, will re-take SAT next week

Louisville coach Rick Pitino confirmed Saturday that 6-9 Amir Johnson has entered his name into the 2005 National Basketball Association Draft, adding that the McDonald's All-America forward would re-take the SAT next week in an attempt to become academically eligible to attend the University of Louisville next fall.

That Amir Johnson declared his intention to enter the 2005 National Basketball Association Draft shouldn't have surprised University of Louisville fans.

Just one day before the deadline for underclassmen to declare for this summer's draft, Johnson did just that - at least for now.

Still needing a qualifying Standardized Aptitude Test to be eligible as a freshman next fall at U of L, Johnson's move is viewed by Pitino as a safety measure in case the 6-foot-9 McDonald's All-America forward doesn't achieve a requisite test score.

"This is sort of an out if he can't get his grades," Pitino told ESPN.com's Pat Forde. "He needs to get his SAT score up. If he gets his score up, he'll come to Louisville.

According to various NBA Draft projections, Johnson, who scored just one-point in the McDonald's All-American game last month in South Bend, Indiana, isn't expected to be selected in the first round should he elect to keep his name in the draft.

"He would go if he was a first-round draft choice He's not a first-round draft choice," Pitino said.

Pitino also told ESPN.com that Clarence Holloway would either attend U of L or attend prep school next season, and that entering the NBA Draft is no longer an option the 7-0" center is considering.

Pitino said Johnson will re-take the SAT next week.