BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- Jason Kidd, California's dazzling point guard, 
said Wednesday he will forego his final two years of college eligibility and 
enter the NBA draft.
   Kidd, who announced the decision on his 21st birthday, is projected to be
taken as high as No. 2 in the June 29 draft. The 6-foot-4 sophomore 
All-American is the first collegiate underclassman to declare for the draft.
   After leading Cal to 21- and 22-win seasons, Kidd leaves with his goal of
taking the Golden Bears to the Final Four unfulfilled.
   "I feel sad inside in a way because I haven't finished my mission at Cal 
and that was to go to the Final Four," said Kidd, who attended a news conference
with his parents and two sisters. "I know there's a lot of things I have to
learn but I know in time I can be successful."
   His final college game was a 4-for-17 effort in Cal's upset loss to
Wisconsin-Green Bay in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Immediately 
after the game, Kidd spoke of sticking around for at least another year.
   But less than a week later, he did what he was expected to do all along.
   Kidd and his coach Todd Bozeman broke down in tears and hugged each other
after Wednesday's announcement.
   "Today is a day of mixed emotions," Bozeman said. "I'm happy because Jason 
is able to fulfill his dream of taking the next step to the NBA. He has my total
blessing. I think he's ready to accept the challenge of everything's that out
before him."
   Kidd, who said he would like to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and their 
new coach, Magic Johnson, said the decision to turn pro was difficult.
   "It made it even harder because of coach Bozeman and us being so close," he
said.
   One influence in the decision was his friend Chris Webber, who left 
Michigan after his sophomore year, was picked first in the last year's draft, 
and signed a contract worth $74 million with the Golden State Warriors. Another 
factor was the impending NBA rookie salary cap.
   Known for his creative playmaking, active defense and exceptional court
vision but criticized for his inconsistent jump shot, Kidd set the Pacific-10
season record for assists with 272. His numbers this season attested to his
all-around skill: 16.8 points, 9.1 assists, 6.8 rebounds and 3.1 steals.
   As a freshman, his 110 steals set a Pac-10 record and an NCAA record for
freshmen. He averaged 13 points and 7.7 assists per game while leading the
Golden Bears to an NCAA tournament victory over two-time defending champion
Duke.
   This season, expectations for Cal were high, but injuries to several key
players left Kidd as one of only seven scholarship players. The end of the 
road for Kidd came in the 61-57 loss to the Phoenix.
   Kidd's teammate, junior Lamond Murray, also is expected to depart Cal early
for the pros. He has until May 15 to decide.
   "Lamond will make his decision based on what's best for himself and his
family," Bozeman said.