April 8, 10:56 p.m. — A member of the Syracuse coaching staff denied an Internet report that Donte Greene will declare for the NBA Draft.

SU assistant coach Rob Murphy said by phone late Tuesday night that a report on Draftexpress.com was incorrect, and Greene has not yet informed the coaching staff of any decision.

‘Not at all,’ said Murphy, who added: ‘There’s nothing going on.’

Murphy and the rest of the Syracuse coaching staff returned late Tuesday from the Final Four in San Antonio. He said the staff will take the next few days to talk with Greene about his options.

Calls made to Greene Tuesday night were not returned.

Murphy, who recruited Greene, said Greene has spent the past few days in Baltimore talking with friends and former coaches.

Greene’s former AAU coach, Darrell Corbett, told The Daily Orange Tuesday he saw Greene at home briefly this past weekend but was not aware of his future plans.

Draftexpress.com reported late Tuesday night the Syracuse freshman forward will leave school after one season, according to a source close to Greene. The Web site said Greene also plans on hiring an agent.

Greene’s decision has been up in the air since he finished this season averaging 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Orange. The 6-foot-11 wing player is projected by many sources to be a mid first-round pick.

Greene’s 17.7 points per game were the second most for a freshman in Syracuse history, behind Carmelo Anthony’s 22.2 in 2002-03. Greene would be the first SU player to leave early for the draft since Anthony did after winning the national championship in 2003.

Syracuse (21-14) finished its season with a loss in the NIT quarterfinals for the second year in a row.

magelb@syr.eduzsschonb@syr.edu

Published on April 7, 2008 at 12:00 pm