NBA general managers can breathe a little easier; Texas A&M forward Chinemelu Elonu has decided to forego his senior season and remain in the draft.

OK, that's a joke. I've never heard of Elonu, either.

But I do know Monday was the final day for underclassmen to withdraw their names, and some of the comings and goings were somewhat intriguing.

To wit:

* Georgia Tech power forward Gani Lawal, considered by many to be a late first-round pick, has decided to return to school. Probably not a bad move, as Lawal is an outstanding athlete with very raw skills. Another year under Tech coach Paul Hewitt certainly won't hurt Lawal's development. But it's still somewhat of a surprise considering projections.

* Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody is another junior who decided to go back to school. That makes him the third straight Notre Dame underclassmen to return to college after declaring for the draft. It may not be a bad idea, considering the nonexistent pro careers of the previous two -- guard Chris Thomas (2003) and forward Torin Francis (2005). In other words, Harangody may want to focus on getting his degree.

* Wake Forest guard Jeff Teague is staying in the draft after two college seasons. This is interesting mostly because Teague has privately been ripped by several teams for his perceived lack of passion in workouts. Others say Teague is merely a quiet kid, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. Former Utah Jazz forward Adrian Dantley dominated in this league for a long time and barely ever said a word.

* Kentucky junior guard Jodie Meeks is also staying, after saying he spoke with his family and they decided "this was the best decision." That may turn out to be true, but I haven't heard Meeks' name mentioned once when the subject is potential draft sleepers. Then again, true sleepers won't have their names mentioned at all.

* Little Partick Mills of little St. Mary's is another guard who is staying in the draft. He sometimes goes by the nickname "Patty," giving this draft an overabundance of prospects whose names would fit a boy or a girl (Jodie Meeks, Patty Mills, N.C. State guard Courtney Fells, and of course, forward Sam Young of Pittsburgh). Name aside, Mills is a water bug of a point guard who has been compared favorably to former NBA mighty mite Earl Boykins.

* Meanwhile, one NBA insider expressed amazement that Maryland junior guard Greivis Vasquez decided to return to school. Vasquez's name had been quickly climbing in most mock drafts following some fairly strong workouts. But if you're not a sure bet to get picked in the first round, you're probably better off going back to play for a major program. It sure beats getting stuck in the D-League, making $14,000 a year while everyone forgets about you. Not really, but close.

* Finally, here is what I've learned about Elonu since he announced he will remain in the draft: He's 6-foot-10, fared well in workouts and graduated last May. With the latter in mind, you can't blame him for deciding it's time to go out and get a job. I also learned how to spell his name. Just don't ask me to pronounce it. I'll leave that to NBA commissioner David Stern or deputy commissioner Adam Silver on the day of the draft. Provided, of course, Elonu made the right choice.

ELIGIBLE UNDERCLASSMEN

(List is unofficial, will be updated)

Patrick Beverley, G, Ukraine
DeJuan Blair, PF, So., Pittsburgh
Derrick Brown, F, Jr., Xavier
Chase Budinger, G/F, Jr., Arizona
Nick Calathes, G, Florida
Earl Clark, F, Jr., Louisville
Brandon Costner, PF, NC State
Stephen Curry, G, Jr., Davidson
Austin Daye, F, So., Gonzaga
DeMar DeRozan, G/F, Fr., USC
Eric Devendorf, G, Jr., Syracuse
Wayne Ellington, SG, Jr., North Carolina
Chinemelu Elonu, F/C, Jr., Texas A&M
Tyreke Evans, G, Fr., Memphis
Jonny Flynn, PG, So., Syracuse
Taj Gibson, F, Jr., USC
Blake Griffin, PF, So., Oklahoma
Daniel Hackett, PG, Jr., USC
James Harden, SG, So., Arizona State
Paul Harris, G/F, Jr., Syracuse
Gerald Henderson, SG, Jr., Duke
Jordan Hill, PF, Jr., Arizona
Jrue Holiday, G, Fr., UCLA
Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
James Johnson, F, So., Wake Forest
Ty Lawson, PG, Jr., North Carolina
Jodie Meeks, SG, Jr., Kentucky
Nate Miles, G/F, Fr., Southern Idaho
Patrick Mills, PG, So., St. Mary's
B.J. Mullens, C, Fr., Ohio State
DaJuan Summers, F, Georgetown
Shawn Taggart, F, Memphis
Jeff Teague, G, So., Wake Forest
Hasheem Thabeet, C, Jr., UConn
Dar Tucker, G/F, So., DePaul

Sam Amico is the editor of Pro Basketball News. He can be reached at amico@probasketballnews.com.