GATORS

Juniors, Donovan Remain Quiet About Futures

By ANDY STAPLES

Published: Apr 3, 2007

ATLANTA — University of Florida center Al Horford rattled off a quick answer into an ESPN Deportes microphone early Tuesday morning. Horford's words begged an obvious question.

Did you just say in Spanish that you were going pro?

"Ahh, no," Horford said with a smile.

None of the four members of Florida's class of 2004 would allow questions about their futures to interrupt their celebration of the Gators' second consecutive national title. Ditto for Gators coach Billy Donovan, who probably will have to decide this week whether he wants to remain at Florida or bolt for Kentucky.

In fact, Donovan faced a Kentucky question right out of the box in his postgame news conference after the Gators beat Ohio State, 84-75, to claim the title.

"Now's not the time to address it, as it wasn't when it got asked over the last week," Donovan said. "It's about these kids, our program and what happened. [The question] was a good try, though."

Forward Joakim Noah, who may have been the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NBA draft had he not returned to chase another title as a junior, also declined to answer questions about whether he would turn pro.

"I'm not even thinking about that right now," Noah said. "I'm more worried about just taking a shower right now and going out with the boys and talking about it, talking about this season and how much we've been through together.

"We'll worry about [the future] when the time comes."

Horford, forward Corey Brewer and guard Taurean Green also dodged questions about their futures. All gave a variation of the same answer. They aren't thinking about the pros. They will think about the pros after they celebrate for a little while.

Meanwhile, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley probably was thinking about what he'll have to do to keep Donovan. But he wasn't talking about it.

"I haven't talked about it," Foley said. "And I'm not talking about it tonight."

Reporter Andy Staples can be reached at (352) 262-3719 or astaples@tampatrib.com.