Report: Oden to enter NBA draft

Apr 20, 2007, 3:40 GMT

Columbus, OH - Ohio State freshman sensation Greg Oden will reportedly announce his intention to enter the NBA draft on Friday.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, a source close to the player told the newspaper on Thursday that Oden will issue a statement through the school announcing his intention to enter the draft on Friday.

Also, freshman teammates Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook will also join Oden in the draft.

Oden, who is a top candidate to be drafted first overall, led the Buckeyes to the NCAA title game this past season. Ohio State lost to the Florida Gators, who repeated as national champions with an 84-75 win.

The 7-foot, 280-pound center led Ohio State with 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest. He also led the team with a .616 field goal percentage and was a force on the defensive end, averaging 3.3 blocks per game.

Oden was Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 2006 and led his school to three state title game appearances, winning twice. He was likely headed for the NBA straight out of high school until the league passed an age restriction rule.

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