Freshman forward Michael Beasley announced he would be leaving K-State for the NBA draft during a press conference at 5 p.m. on Monday.

Beasley thanked his coaches and said he would continue to support K-State even though he had decided to move on from the program that he had led to its first NCAA tournament win in 20 years.

"After consulting with my family and advisers, I have determined that this is the best course of action for me at this time," Beasley said. "K-State will always be special for me, and I cannot think of a better place to be a student-athlete. The people in and around Manhattan have made this the best year of my life, and I definitely will come back and visit and support the school as much as I can."

Beasley also has shut the door on any thoughts of returning to K-State by hiring an agent; Joel Bell of Bell Sports, Inc., will be representing Beasley. Bell has also represented Detroit Pistons center Theo Ratliff, Sacramento Kings forward John Salmons and Portland Trail Blazers guard Steve Blake.

"Money is a very important factor," he said. "I think that it's the right decision for me and my family, financially. I feel that by me going to the NBA, I can take care of my family and make sure our lives are better."

Freshman forward Bill Walker also has made himself available to be drafted. After several newspapers reported it Monday, K-State Sports Information confirmed Walker would be leaving K-State but he was not planning to hire an agent, which would give him the opportunity come back for his sophomore campaign.

Beasley is projected to be the No. 1 draft pick to the Miami Heat by www.draftexpress.com and the No. 2 pick to the Seattle Supersonics by www.nbadraft.net. The draft will be June 26 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. K-State has only had one overall No. 1 draft pick in its history - Bob Boozer, who went to the Cincinnati Royals in 1959. Beasley will also be the first player since 1990s Steve Henson to be drafted from K-State.

"If I made any kind of pitch to try to convince him to stay in college, the pitch I was making would be for selfish reasons," said coach Frank Martin. "I don't agree with that. I think the decision has to be what's best for the young man, not what's best for me and Kansas State. If it's what's best for my career and what's best for Kansas State University, then my advice to him was, 'Mike, you have to stay in school.' ... I also feel when you're the best player in college basketball, it's time to take on that next challenge."

Many, including Martin, speculated that Beasley would never have been in a Wildcat uniform if it weren't for the age limit in the NBA which says players must be at least 19 or be one year removed from high school. However, Beasley said his decision to attend K-State helped him out in more ways than one.

"I think the rule is great. I know it helped me out a lot," he said. "In one year of college, I got stronger, I got smarter. I matured a lot and I was out on my own a little bit. It helped me out all around, on and off the court."

Beasley's mother, Fatima Smith, was also at the press conference. She said following basketball season, she "let him breathe" and didn't pressure him to make any decision.

"It was still a battle, up until [Sunday] night or even [Monday] morning," Smith said. "Bottom line is, he decided to make the decision."

Smith described herself as a proud parent after her son's decision was announced and said she still had not decided whether she would remain in Manhattan with her other children or follow Beasley, but she said she still wanted to be involved in Manhattan.

"I love this town," she said. "I'd love to be a part of this town in some type of way past Michael being in college. We just have to come to some decisions on how that can happen."

Though Beasley has moved on from K-State, Martin said he's sure Beasley will always be associated with the school.

"I don't want to say that we got lucky with Mike because we knew what he was about," he said. "We knew his people. I think he is going to continue to represent Kansas State basketball for the next 15 years, 82 times a season. Any time you get that kind of person promoting your basketball program, I think it's a plus.

"The part that's made it the best is that Mike has put our brand out there again. It's helped people know that Kansas State basketball is back."