For the fourth time in the last two years, an OSU freshman basketball player was selected in the NBA draft's first round. Seven-foot center Kosta Koufos was selected 23rd overall by the Utah Jazz.
In 2007, freshmen Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook were all selected in the draft's first round at picks 1, 4, and 21, respectively. A total of eight freshmen were taken in the 2007 draft, including first and second rounds, a total of 60 picks.
This year's draft had eight freshmen selected by the 19th overall pick and 11 total, which marks the most in NBA draft history.
ESPN's Chad Ford had projected Koufos a lottery pick (picks 1-14) after showing promise in several NBA pre-draft workouts. He was predicted to go number 14 overall. However, Koufos was forced to wait more than two hours into the draft before his name was called by NBA commissioner David Stern at No. 23.
After the draft, Koufos told The Salt Lake Tribune how he felt.
"I was just cool and calm the whole way through," Koufos said. "I felt very confident with my abilities and my workouts. I was just glad I landed in the first round and especially to a great organization."
By being selected in the first round, Koufos is guaranteed a rookie contract close to $1 million, according to NBAinsidehoops.com, a database of NBA salaries. The not-so-fortunate second-round picks need to earn their contracts. Nevertheless, had Koufos been a lottery pick, his contract would have guaranteed about $1.3 million or more in his first year.
Being the first overall pick, such as Greg Oden, guarantees a contract worth near $3.7 million for the first year.
For a freshman coming out of college, this income is unmatched. Just 24 months ago, Koufos was just graduating Canton Glen Oak High School.
"It is really interesting to compare myself to these guys," said Ben Kwait, a 2008 OSU graduate in family resource management. "I graduated college, earned my degree in four years and I am making less than one-twentieth of what Kosta is making this year."
Koufos averaged 26 points per game, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks a game as a high school senior. He went on to be a 2007 McDonald's and EA Sports All-American and was rated one of the top centers in the 2007 class.
Before Koufos even stepped on the court at OSU, he was considered destined for the NBA. His height and body size showed he had potential to be a star. It was undetermined whether Koufos' college career would last for more than one year.
However, Koufos averaged a mediocre 14 points and seven rebounds during his one year as a Buckeye and a difficult decision was made whether or not he would return for his sophomore season. Also rumored was the possibility that Koufos could return to Greece and play for a professional team.
If Koufos returned, he could move to the power forward slot; his natural position, along with incoming center B.J. Mullens who is ranked No. 1 in his class, according to Rivals.com.
The final decision for Koufos was to enter his name into the NBA draft and workout hard for teams' pre-draft. Hard work paid off.
Koufos was considered a steal to be drafted so late. These remarks display the respect and value Koufos earned and standing at 7 feet, Koufos was not a unique item.
"The Jazz wanted to add some size, and they did," said ESPN.com's Chad Ford. "Koufos is a steal here (at 23rd pick) -- he's a little like the second coming of Mehmet Okur, a big guy who likes to face the basket but who can mix it up inside. He was up and down as a freshman, but the talent is there."
David Sokol can be reached at sokol.26@osu.edu.
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