RENO, Nev. — Nevada sophomore Javale McGee has decided to sign an agent and enter the NBA draft this year, a university spokeswoman confirmed today.

Rhonda Lundin, director of media services for Nevada's athletic department, said a formal announcement of the 7-footer's plans would be made at a Monday news conference.

"He intends to hire an agent and forfeit his final two seasons at Nevada," Lundin said, declining to elaborate.

Reno's KRNV-TV reported that McGee has hired agent Eugene Parker, who has represented Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders and many other NFL players.

Nevada coach Mark Fox could not immediately be reached for comment.

But earlier this month, Fox said he was convinced McGee would make the right decision partly because his mother, former USC star Pam McGee, is smarter than most pro scouts.

"I think that if he does (leave early), that is his right to do that," the coach said at the time. "He is a talented young man and he is a great person and he is a very good student."

McGee led the Western Athletic Conference in blocked shots this season with 2.8 per game while averaging 14 points and 7.4 rebounds.

His 92 rejections for the season rank second on Nevada's career list, four behind the school-record of 96 blocks set by Edgar Jones in 1977-78.

McGee was named to this year's all-WAC second team and all-defensive team.

Pam McGee, now a high school coach in Sacramento, led USC to two NCAA titles and won a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.

Lundin said Fox has been supportive of other players who either left or considered leaving the school early.

"He wants to make sure they have good information and make good decisions," she said. "He wants to do anything to help them achieve their dreams."

The Wolf Pack (21-12) closed the season with an 80-79 loss to Houston in the first round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational tournament.

Nevada notched 20-plus wins for the fifth consecutive season and played in the previous four NCAA tournaments.