Apr 10, 2007, 23:20 GMT
Austin, TX - Texas' Kevin Durant, the first freshman in NCAA history to earn consensus National Player of the Year honors, announced Tuesday he will be eligible for this June's NBA Draft.
Durant is expected to be either the first or second overall pick, with Greg Oden in the other position, if the Ohio State freshman also chooses to jump early to the NBA.
'It doesn't really matter where I am drafted,' Durant said. 'I just want to be there and make an impact. I really don't know. I leave that up to the people that handle the draft process. I know that I will be one of the high picks, but it doesn't matter where I go.'
Durant led the Longhorns in scoring (25.8 ppg), rebounding (11.1 rpg), blocked shots (67), steals (66) and double-doubles (20). He was the only player to rank in the top 10 nationally in both scoring (fourth) and rebounding (fourth).
'It's been my dream for a while and I felt like I was ready,' Durant said. 'I had to take the opportunity. It wasn't the shoe contract or anything like that. I love the game and I thought it was time.'
The 6-foot-9 Durant completed a sweep of the seven National Player of the Year awards, including the Wooden Award presentation. He previously won the Naismith Trophy, the Oscar Robertson Trophy and also the Adolph Rupp Trophy.
Durant is the first player in Texas history to declare for the NBA Draft following his freshman year.
Durant completed an incredible season in which he led the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding, and was named the Conference Player of the Year. He's also the second-highest scoring freshman in NCAA history, behind only Chris Jackson of LSU in 1989.
Despite his decision to jump to the NBA, Durant said he's committed to finishing this semester and to coming back to earn his degree.
'I'm excited. This is a new challenge and I am looking forward to it, but right now, I am just a regular student here at Texas, and I am still very part of the team,' Durant said. 'Like I have said, nothing has changed right now. I am going to keep going to my classes. There is no doubt about that. I'm not going to hurt the program. I'm always going to keep going to my classes because like I said, I'm still just a student here at Texas right now.'
© 2007 The Sports Network
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