Mere minutes after the most bitter loss of his short
college career, Florida’s fabulous freshman Bradley Beal was hit with the
inevitable question about this future.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Beal carried the Gators through
their surprising run to the Elite Eight and is considered a slam-dunk lottery
selection should he choose to enter the NBA Draft. Some of the latest
projections, in fact, have Beal ranked behind only Kentucky freshman Anthony
Davis.
Beal, however, was in no mood to speak to any speculation
Saturday after Florida’s 68-64 loss to Louisville in the NCAA West Region
championship game at US Airways Center.
It was tough for him to speak at all.
“I'm really not focusing on next year right now,” said
Beal through glossy eyes. “I'm just still affected by this loss right now. I
just want to bond with the team still. We had a tough loss.”
The loss had to extra tough on Beal, who was called for
traveling after stealing a pass for Cardinals guard Russ Smith with 17.2
seconds and UF down by just one point.
Beal isn’t the only Florida player who has some decisions
to make in the coming weeks. Junior guard Kenny Boynton is believed to be
considering turning pro, but like his rookie teammate that wasn’t on his mind.
“Right now, I’m just shocked by this loss -- too shocked
to think about the future,’’ Boynton said.
Sophomore center Patric Young has already said he intends
to return to UF for his junior season.
