NBA

Utah's Bogut: I can see well and future is clear

CHICAGO - Andrew Bogut made several things clear Friday: He could see himself playing for Milwaukee or Atlanta next season.

For that matter, he can see, period. He is not in danger of losing his eyesight.

Former Utah coach Rick Majerus reportedly told NBA executives a few weeks ago that Bogut has a degenerative eye disease. So besides the usual questions about his background and strengths and weaknesses, the 7-foot Australian center from Utah found himself discussing his eyesight and his former coach during a predraft news conference.

Bogut, who didn't get along well with Majerus, said he hasn't spoken with his former coach since the rumor circulated. And when asked about his relationship with Majerus, Bogut responded tersely: "Fine."

The same goes for his eyesight. It's fine, Bogut said.

"If every person who wears a contact lens in the United States has a degenerative eye disorder, I think you'd have a lot of sick people," he said. "I'm not going to go blind in two years, mate."

Besides reportedly talking about Bogut's eyesight, Majerus told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that North Carolina forward Marvin Williams will be the best player in the draft. Is the former Utah coach crashing Bogut's stock?

"Not really," Bogut said. "I think if people believe the rumors that are floating around, that's up to them. But I know it's not true. There are no problems between me and him. I don't have a degenerative eye disorder.

"I'd already be going blind if I had it."

Also, West Virginia star Kevin Pittsnogle is expected to pull out of the draft and leave the NBA predraft camp in Chicago. The 6-foot-11 center is scheduled to announce his plans today. Under NCAA rules, Pittsnogle can return for his senior season since he did not sign with an agent.

[Last modified June 11, 2005, 00:26:12]