Jackie Butler, a 6-foot-11 basketball prospect, has signed with an agent and thus forfeited his collegiate eligibility, meaning he will never suit up for the University of Tennessee.

A former Mr. Basketball in Mississippi, Butler committed to Mississippi State out of high school, but failed to meet academic requirements. He bounced around a couple of prep schools before signing with the Vols in November.

In February, Butler announced his intention to enter the NBA draft, but he said at the time he would hold off on signing with an agent. The thinking was if he projected as a first-round pick, he would opt out of college, but if he wasn't going to go in the first round he'd wind up in Knoxville.

That point became moot yesterday when he signed with Ken Harris, an agent based in Charlotte, N.C.

''I greatly appreciate the opportunity the University of Tennessee gave me,'' Butler said in a release from Harris' law firm.

''There is no doubt that Tennessee is a great place to attend college and play basketball. But in light of my recent play and the advice of my mother, coaches and what we are hearing from scouts, I needed to make clear that I am fully dedicated to preparing for the NBA this year.''