We've been hearing for the last couple weeks that Kansas junior guard Mario Chalmers is likely staying in the draft.

Now Chalmers is even admitting it.

``I'm leaning towards staying (in the draft)," Chalmers told Phoenix reporters after working out for the Suns on Friday. "I've been hearing a lot of good things, so I'll probably stay in."

``If I'm in that top first round, anywhere between 15 and 25, I'm going to stay in," he added.

Chalmers is scheduled to work out for Denver tomorrow - and also has workouts scheduled with Cleveland, Washington and New Orleans next week.

This would be a huge hit for Kansas next season as the Jayhawks would lose their entire starting five - and the only returnees of note would be Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich.

HICKSON WILL LIKELY REMAIN IN DRAFT

N.C. State freshman big man J.J. Hickson was also in Phoenix working out for the Suns and it's no surprise that he's basically gone as well.

``I would say that I'm definitely in the draft," he said. "I came out just testing the waters, but since I'm hearing a lot of good things about my game I'm not going to pull my name out."

Hickson has been busy right out of the gates. Phoenix was Hickson's fourth workout. He's already been to Sacramento, Seattle and Cleveland - and is scheduled to work out for Denver and Philadelphia this week.

RANDOM NOTES: Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins received a new five-year deal that runs through the 2012-13 season. Hawkins will receive a guranateed $246,000 per season - including a base salary of $191,000. The deal also has incentives for academic and on-court success. The Broncos were 20-12 this past season, Hawkins' fifth in Kalamazoo.