Harris trying to decide on entering NBA

Tobias Harris continues to wrestle with the decision of whether to declare for the draft or stay in college, even as he showcases his talents for NBA teams at sanctioned but secret workouts.

The do-or-die date to declare for the NBA draft is Sunday and Harris, the former star forward at Long Island Lutheran and Half Hollow Hills West, is hoping he's made enough of an impression on the NBA teams he has worked out for in the past two weeks to ensure he'll get drafted high enough to make his decision easy.

"It's a tough decision, but I'll be comfortable whichever way I choose," said the 6-8 Harris, who is not permitted to disclose which NBA teams or how many he was worked out for. But he told Newsday in a telephone interview Tuesday that the closed sessions "went very well. The scouts like that I can play several positions. My shot has been going well and they see what kind of shape I'm in. I reduced my body fat from 13 percent to 9 percent."

Harris, 18, worked out Tuesday with another NBA team and said he might try to fit in one or two more sessions before Sunday. He acknowledged that if he was assured of being a lottery pick -- in the top 14 -- his decision would be clear-cut.

Harris has met new Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin and called him "a great coach and a great guy. The decision will come down to me being comfortable staying or going."

He said he pays little attention to reports of other college players leaving early and declaring for the draft, which could affect how high he is taken. "I'm only worried about myself," Harris said. "I'm confident in what I can do and I'm trying to impress the NBA teams so I can move up."