I just spoke to Darren Collison and Karen Love and both vehemently denied a published report from earlier this evening that Kevin and Darren informed UCLA coach Ben Howland on Monday that they intend to turn pro. Here's a quick story that I wrote for tomorrow's paper:

UCLA freshman Kevin Love will return home to Oregon this weekend to discuss with his parents whether to declare for the NBA Draft, his mother Karen said late Tuesday night.
Love's mother said he would not announce his decision until at least early next week after UCLA's team banquet on Monday night. When asked about a Los Angeles Times report that indicated Love had already informed Coach Ben Howland on Monday that he intends to turn pro, Karen Love said, "That's totally false."
"Kevin called me frantically," she said. "I'm on my cell phone trying to do damage control."
The report also indicated that point guard Darren Collison had informed Howland he'd made the same decision. But in a brief phone interview Tuesday night, Collison also denied the report.
"I'm still undecided," Collison said. "As of right now, I'm still a UCLA Bruin."
Collison and Love led UCLA to its third consecutive Final Four. Love is projected to be chosen in the second half of the lottery if he comes out, while Collison would likely go later in the first round.
-- Jeff Eisenberg

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