The Worldwide Leader’s Andy Katz is reporting that sources close to Ohio State center Greg Oden have told Katz that the freshmen will declare for the NBA Draft. And I died with shock.

What irritates me about this announcement isn’t that he’s going to the NBA. I can’t begrudge this kid the opportunity to make a life for himself and if the door is open then he should take it. What irritates me is that he was pretending and mugging for the press like he was actually entertaining the thought of staying in school. Come on. Everyone knew that as soon as Ohio State was bounced from the tournament, it wouldn’t be soon after that Oden would declare for the draft. There’s just too much money on the line. But the real question is who was the money too much for? By all appearances, Oden was seemingly happy living the college life. Was it the people around him that have wanted to cash in  Oden’s abilities from a very young age? I certainly wouldn’t discount that as a possibility.

On other Buckeye news, freshmen guard Daequan Cook has also announced that he will test the NBA market. Yeah, the same Daequan Cook who came off the bench for Ohio State to average about 10 points and 4 boards for Ohio State. Whoever is in this kid’s ear, telling him that he’s ready for the NBA is doing him a serious disservice. Stay in school, young man.

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