Gavin Prout, the first-overall selection in last month's NLL Entry Draft, will sign with the New York Saints within a week, according to a report appearing today on InsideLacrosse.com.

Prout told IL's Sam Atkinson, "We have been talking over the phone a little bit. We haven't gotten together quite yet in person. But eventually we are going to meet up and see if they can meet up with an agreement or contract."

"I'm looking forward to playing in the league and I hope everything works out."

Asked if the deal would be done within the next seven days, Prout replied, "More than likely."

The subject of a summer-long rumorfest that centered around his strong desire to play for the expansion New Jersey Storm, Prout had been threatening to hold out in order to force a trade. However, Saints owner Mike Gongas, in spite of the risk that he could lose Prout to free agency after a two-year holdout, selected the Loyola College star anyway.

Since his college career ended this spring, Storm owner Jayson Williams had been wooing Prout to join his upstart operation, and was rumored to be offering Prout compensation in exchange for sitting out long enough to become an unrestricted free agent or get traded to New Jersey.

"I never really had anything against the Saints organization," Prout said. "There was a preference on teams but if I can't go to my preferred team, I'm not going to be the guy to think that I am bigger or better than the game of lacrosse and sit out a couple of years."

The Storm, of course, still could push for a trade, although if Prout signs, that takes the hammer out of Williams' hands and puts it in Gongas'.

"There are always rumors and a possibility of a trade but you never know. If there is an offer on the table that's worth taking, New Jersey will have to make the decision," Prout said.

"I'm not the one that who decides all that."