USA - Oden to declare for draft, says father

INDIANAPOLIS (NCAA) - Team USA prospect Greg Oden will enter the 2007 NBA draft, his father has told the Indianapolis Star.

The 7ft, 280-pound Ohio State freshman has been projected to be the number one pick if he makes himself available for June's draft.

Greg Oden Sr. stated that Oden, a center, would turn professional but continue his studies during the summer.

"Why not, as long as he finishes school in the off-season?" the elder Oden said. "He's the kind of kid that, even though he'll have a lot of money, he needs to do more than just basketball.

"They had an exciting season, but why take the chance on him getting hurt?"

Last summer, before even arriving on campus, Oden was invited to join Team USA's practice sessions in the build up to the FIBA World Championship.

Before heading to Ohio State last year, Oden starred at Lawrence North, leading the Indianapolis school to three straight Indiana high school basketball titles.

Also on that Lawrence North team was Mike Conley Jr, who followed Oden to Ohio State. The pair led the Buckeyes to a number one ranking and the NCAA championship game.

Mike Conley Sr., the former director of elite athlete services for USA Track and Field, has become an NBA agent, and Oden Sr said he would represent his son.

"He (Conley Sr.) is going to manage (Greg)," Oden Sr. said.

Conley Jr, a 6ft 1in guard, is also expected to declare for the draft along with a third Buckeyes freshman, Daequan Cook, a 6ft 5in shooting guard.

However, it is Oden's decision which is attracting the most interest.

He was the leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker for the Buckeyes, and also led the team in shooting percentage.

If he does put his name forward for the draft, that would be bad news for Kevin Durant, the University of Texas freshman who has already declared and who is expected to be the top pick in the absence of Oden.

Conley Jr. could also be a top 10 pick. He set school records in assists and steals during his freshman season, becoming the team's third-leading scorer.

Cook led the Buckeyes in three-point shooting and was fourth on the team in scoring.

Ian Parker
FIBA