Ohio State University freshman Greg Oden will enter the National Basketball Association draft, where the 7-foot center might be the No. 1 pick.
Fellow freshmen Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook, both guards, will also enter the draft, according to a statement from the school. Unlike Oden, they won't hire an agent, leaving open the possibility of them returning to college basketball.
"This is a very tough decision for me," Oden said in a statement released by Ohio State . "I love OSU and love being a Buckeye, but I also have a great opportunity to take my game to the next level and compete with the best players in the world."
The trio helped Ohio State (35-4) set a school record for wins last season and reach the final of the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. Oden had 25 points and 12 rebounds in the title-game loss to Florida .
Oden averaged 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds, both team highs, and was named to the All-American first team last season. He also led the Buckeyes in shooting (62 percent) and blocked shots (105) in 32 games.
Oden, 19, is projected as one of the top two picks in the June 28 draft, along with another freshman, Kevin Durant of Texas . Durant entered the draft on April 10.
Both Kevin Durant and Oden were forced to go to college rather than directly to the NBA from high school. This is the first season the NBA has forbidden players from entering the league until at least a year after their high-school class graduates.
Wrist Surgery
Oden missed the first seven games of the season after having wrist surgery. He was named the defensive player of the year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and won the organization's award as the top big man in the country.
Conley Jr., 19, averaged 11.3 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds in starting all 39 games last season.
He was a high school teammate of Oden in Indianapolis and his father, Mike Conley Sr., the triple-jump gold medalist at the 1992 Olympics and former director of elite athletic services for USA Track and Field, has been certified as an NBA agent. The Indianapolis Star has reported that Conley Sr. will represent Oden.
Cook, 19, averaged 9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds last season as one of the top reserves coming off the Buckeyes bench. He and Conley Jr. have until June 18 to withdraw their names from the draft.
Senior Ron Lewis was Ohio State 's second-leading scorer at 12.7 points a game, meaning the Buckeyes will lose 66 percent of their offense if Conley Jr. and Cook stay in the draft.
NBA Future: DeMarcus Cousins DeMarcus Cousins is a big PF who averaged 26 pts, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 70% FG and 80% FT per game as a freshman in high school last year. DeMarcus Cousins has developing post moves, is an excellent rebounder, and a solid athlete. DeMarcus Cousins' ability to overpower players gives him a very high ceiling. DeMarcus Cousins has a 7'3" wingspan and 9'0" standing reach. DeMarcus Cousins is very raw. DeMarcus Cousins needs to work on his footwork and decision making mostly. DeMarcus Cousins offense is coming along fine, but he needs to become more of a leader on defense. DeMarcus Cousins consistency is also a problem against top competition.
NBA Future: Jrue Holiday
Check out Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 sophomore shooting guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall, one of the elite guards in the west, regardless of class...
Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 sophomore shooting guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall, is seen here in action from a CIF playoff game last week.
Jrue Holiday is #21 in white, not to be confused with his older brother, 6-6 junior Justin Holiday, who is #22.
NBA Future: Dashonte Riley
H.S. Detroit Cass Tech
Age: 14
Sport: Basketball. She starts on the varsity basketball team.
Family: Mother, Collette Anderson; twin sister, Daisha Riley, 14
What surprises you the most about high school? "There is way more kids in school. In basketball, the speed of the game is faster."
Favorite subject: Math
Least favorite subject: Science
What are your goals for high school? "To graduate and to continue to learn."
