Coming and going: Eschmeyer returns as Bibby departs

The 6-foot-11 center did not play his first two seasons because of a recurring injury to his right foot.

At the end of the 1997-98 season, Eschmeyer was second in Big Ten scoring with a 21.7 average and first in rebounding at 10.7 per game. He also set a school single-season scoring mark with 585 points.

Eschmeyer, a native of New Knoxville, Ohio, is a two-time first-team all-Big Ten member. He is one of 25 finalists for the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Player of the Year Award and has scored in double figures in his past 41 games.

AP PHOTO After failing to win another NCAA championship, Arizona sophomore guard Mike Bibby has opted for the NBA.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - All-America sophomore guard Mike Bibby moved toward millionaire status yesterday, announcing he's leaving Arizona to make himself available for the NBA draft.

"It's just been a dream of mine since I was a little boy, and now that that chance is here, I don't want to let it pass me up,'" Bibby said at a campus news conference.

Some NBA officials believe the 19-year-old Bibby will be first point guard taken in the draft, and have few doubts he has the skills and talent to be a success in the league.

"Mike is very ready to play in the NBA," said Wildcats coach Lute Olson, who was told by Bibby of his decision to turn pro last weekend.

Bibby, the son of former NBA guard Henry Bibby, becomes the second Arizona player in the 1990s to leave early for the NBA.

Center Brian Williams declared himself eligible for the draft in 1991 after his junior year.

Bibby showed his leadership capabilities quickly in college, directing Arizona to the national championship as a freshman.

As a sophomore, he was a consensus first-team All-America and took the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament's regional finals before losing to Utah 86-61.

Bibby was named the Pacific-10 player of the year this season and averaged 17.2 points and 5.7 assists - up from his freshman averages of 15.5 points and 5.2 assists.

04-10-98