In an interview with a Web site associated with the Phoenix Suns, the Wolfpack center was asked Friday if he was just "testing the waters" to gauge his draft position or if he would keep his name in the June 26 draft.

Hickson told the Web site: "I would say that I'm definitely in the draft. I came out just testing the waters, but since I'm hearing a lot of good things about my game, I'm not going to pull my name out."

Later, in talking about the night of the draft, Hickson said, "It's taking forever to get here. I've been counting down since May. I just can't wait for it to get here."

Hickson, a rising sophomore, has until June 16 to withdraw his name from the draft if he elects to return to NCSU.

Hickson had a workout with the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in the week and then was in Phoenix to work out for Suns officials.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

PITT ASSISTANT TO MEMPHIS: Orlando Antigua, a former Pitt player and an assistant basketball coach at the school, is leaving to join coach John Calipari's staff at NCAA runner-up Memphis.

Former Pitt point guard Brandin Knight will become a full-time Pitt assistant coach, replacing Antigua, after being the director of basketball operations last season. Knight has been on coach Jamie Dixon's staff for two seasons, the first as video coordinator.

Antigua will fill one of two coaching vacancies at Memphis. Calipari once was a Pitt assistant coach.

FORMER UNLV PLAYER DIES: The Clark County, Nev., coroner says a former UNLV basketball player found dead at the Las Vegas city jail died of natural causes.

Frank "Spoon" James was found dead in his cell Wednesday morning after a second night in the city lockup. Police say the 45-year-old James was being held on traffic warrant charges after a routine traffic stop.

The coroner says James died of heart ailments.

James played for Jerry Tarkanian's Runnin' Rebels in 1983-85 and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the seventh round in 1985 but did not make the team.

AKRON DISMISSES PLAYER: Akron dismissed basketball player Rydell Brooks, who was accused of shooting at police officers during a foot chase after a traffic stop.

Brooks was dismissed from school on Friday. He was indicted on charges of attempted aggravated murder and felonious assault on May 18.

Brooks' attorney Michael Bowler said if his client is acquitted, he could be reinstated.

Brooks transferred to Akron last June from Niagara He was a walk-on, non-scholarship player and sat out last season.

FOOTBALL

OKLAHOMA TO PLAY TULSA: Football games in the in-state series between Tulsa and Oklahoma are about to become a more frequent occurrence.

The schools announced Friday that they would play annual games from 2013 to 2015, marking the first time they have played in three straight years since 1936-38.

The extension of a current three-game agreement that runs out in 2011 calls for the teams to play in Norman on Sept. 14, 2013; in Tulsa on Sept. 20, 2014; and in Norman on Sept. 26, 2015.

The Sooners and Golden Hurricane will also play games in Norman on Sept. 19, 2009, and Sept 3, 2011, as part of a previous agreement that also included last year's game in Tulsa.

Oklahoma has won the last four games in the series, including a 62-21 win in Tulsa last season, but the series stretches back nearly a century.