49er guard will not return to The Pyramid for '97

Standout guard James Cotton announced his intentions to sign with agent Fred Slaughter and declare himself eligible for the June NBA draft. His decision makes him ineligible to play his final season of basketball at Cal State Long Beach, according to NCAA regulations.

"It's a big decision...but I got to go," Cotton told the Press Telegram.

Cotton, a speech major who graduates in May, said his March 24 decision is motivated in part by a possible high-paying career in the NBA.

Cotton said his decision would alleviate his family's financial. Cotton said he wants to help his father, who injured his back in the construction business.

"I want to make it so he doesn't have to work so hard," Cotton told the Press Telegram.

"I'm close to his family. I had a good idea he was coming out," CSULB Assistant Coach Clyde Vaughn said.

"He has a good chance to be in the top 20," Vaughn said, explaining Cotton's position in the NBA draft.

"I haven't met a young man with a bigger heart. He'll be successful in whatever he does," Vaughn said.

Cotton finishes his career as the fifth-leading scorer all-time at CSULB with 1452 points.

His career average of 18.2 points per game ranks third all-time behind Ed Ratleff and Lucious Harris.

The 1994-95 season marked the only time the 49ers advanced into the NCAA tournament during Cotton's career.

"It affects us big-time," Vaughn said of Cotton's decision. "The other players are going to have to step up."

Vaughn remains optimistic about the incoming class, "I can't name any names, but we're recruiting good players."

Schea Cotton, James' younger brother and highly touted high school basketball star, has signed a letter of intent to play at CSULB. However, Cotton's parents told friends that Schea will not be a 49er next year, according to the Press Telegram.

Including the departure of Cotton, the 49ers have lost all five starters from this season. Although just a junior, leading rebounder Marcus Johnson decided to leave school early in order to play professional basketball in Europe.

The 49ers also lost seniors Brandon Titus, Ike Nwankwo, and Brian Yankelevitz. All three graduate this year. Starting point guard Tommie Davis has recently been dismissed from the team. Davis was suspended for a game by Coach Wayne Morgan after violating team curfew.

Davis was unavailable for comment at his home. "It's a touchy situation. I'd rather not comment," Vaughn said. CSULB head coach Morgan is in Indianapolis for the Final Four and was unavailable for comment.

To view a story on James Cotton on-line in University Magazine, click here.