As a result , he declared for the 1999 NBA draft in April .
But while trying to gauge where he stood with the NBA scouts , he learned he was highly regarded and that he was looking at going no lower than the middle of the first round .
He declared for the 1999 NBA draft in April .
But while trying to gauge where he stood with the NBA scouts , he learned he was highly regarded and that he was looking at going no lower than the middle of the first round .