Haston, Hoosiers at a crossroads.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. _Kirk Haston chose the money and the dream.

Indiana's junior center went for the financial security everyone craves and the NBA opportunity few once expected.

And because he did, Haston will never win a college championship, become the first Hoosier to amass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, or experience the thrill that, say, Shane Battier of Duke or Drew Brees of Purdue did by passing up pro riches for one final shot at college glory.

Haston, a few credit hours shy of a business degree, chose to go because all the arguments to stay couldn't convince him.

"I feel that now is the best opportunity for me to fulfill my life-long dream of playing in the NBA," he said after setting career highs for points (19.0) and rebounds (8.7).

Haston got advice from everyone except the one he wanted most. His mother, Patty, passed away in a horrific storm two years ago and without her guidance, he agonized his way into public silence. When he finally spoke, it came from the shelter of a press release rather than a conference.

"This decision, perhaps only rivaled by the one to leave my home and family in Tennessee to come to Indiana, has taken countless hours of discussion, thought and prayer," he said.