Shawn Bradley, the 7-foot-6-inch center who set a collegiate shot-blocking record for freshmen with 177 at Brigham Young two seasons ago, has decided to enter this year's National Basketball Association draft.

The 21-year-old from Castle Dale, Utah, will return in early June from a two-year mission in Sydney, Australia, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bradley had repeatedly said he would return to the Mormon Church-owned school to play at least his sophomore season. But he told his parents in a phone call from Australia Thursday evening that he had changed his mind.

Although he will tower over all N.B.A. players but the 7-7 Manute Bol, Bradley is a rail-thin 235 pounds. As a freshman, he weighed just 205, but led the Cougars to a 21-13 record and an N.C.A.A. playoff appearance. He averaged 5.2 blocks, 8 rebounds and nearly 15 points a game.

In a statement today, Brigham Young's president, Rex Lee, said: "We understand this has been a hard decision for him, and we support him in it. Our first concern is always for the welfare of our students."