For the second straight year, Thad Matta's most prized recruit is leaving to enter the NBA draft.
Freshman center Kosta Koufos announced Monday that he will declare but will not hire an agent, therefore maintaining his remaining three years of eligibility should he decide to back out of the June draft.
"I am declaring for the 2008 NBA Draft but not hiring an agent and maintaining my college eligibility," Koufos wrote in a text message to The Canton Repository.
The GlenOak alumnus averaged 14.4 points and 6.7 rebounds for Ohio State last season. He led the Buckeyes' charge to the National Invitation Tournament title with stellar late-season play.
All players must declare their intent to enter the draft by Sunday, but those who do not hire an agent can remove their name from consideration at any time.
Should Koufos decide to back out of the draft there is a possibility he will sign with a team in Greece, his mother's native country.
Koufos' draft status has declined recently as several other top college underclassmen announced their decisions to declare including Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts and the UCLA trio of Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
Originally projected as a lottery pick going into the season, Koufos stock has fallen to mid-to-late first round.
Phone calls to the house of Koufos' mother were not returned.
Zack Timmons can be reached at timmons.60@osu.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
David Lab
posted 4/22/08 @ 11:29 AM EST
Koufos is not ready for the NBA. He plays soft and has horrible footwork. Most likely if he stays he will see his playing time decrease with the arrival of Thads new class. (Continued…)
Gaurav Garg
posted 4/22/08 @ 5:00 PM EST
I think Koufos should stay. He's been hyped as better than Oden, but he didn't show it this year. He is not lotto pick material. I don't think he's even first round material
Gaurav Garg
posted 4/22/08 @ 5:01 PM EST
I think Koufos should stay. He's been hyped as better than Oden, but he didn't show it this year. He is not lotto pick material. I don't think he's even first round material
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