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'A no-brainer' Ohio State's Redd declares for NBA Draft
Posted: Tuesday April 25, 2000 02:17 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State junior Michael Redd said Tuesday that he will skip his senior season to make himself eligible for the NBA Draft. Redd said his decision is final. There had been reports that Redd would not sign with an agent so he could withdraw before the draft if he does not like his NBA prospects. "I had a great three years here," Redd said. "I want to thank the fans. They've been great to me. Columbus as a whole has been great to me. It's just a feeling I had," he said. Redd said he's told he could be taken between 17th and 23rd in the NBA Draft. Coach Jim O'Brien expressed no qualms about Redd's decision.
"It's a no-brainer," O'Brien said. "I think he's absolutely doing the right thing. I had my doubts early on but after speaking to him it became clear that he is sure that this is the right thing for him to do." Redd, a 6-foot-6 swingman from Columbus West High School, had until May 14 to declare his intentions to enter the draft, which is June 28 in Minneapolis. Redd said it was never a worry that he might get injured his senior year. He said he had not hired an agent yet. Asked about the strengths and weaknesses the pro scouts saw in him, he said, "They liked my size. They liked my quickness for my size. "Ball handling wasn't an issue. It's not that big a deal. The negative thing is shooting. They want me to be more consistent on that. But nobody's a great shooter going into the draft. You have to work on that." Redd averaged 17.3 points and 6.5 rebounds last season for Ohio State (23-7), which tied with Michigan State for the Big Ten title. The Buckeyes lost to Miami in the second round of the NCAA South Regional. He was the first freshman to lead the Big Ten in scoring when the Buckeyes set a school record for losses at 8-22. He also set Ohio State freshman records for scoring (658 points), scoring average (21.9), field goals (241), free throws (130), 3-point field goals (46) and steals (61). With the addition of point guard Scoonie Penn, who transferred from Boston College, the Buckeyes made a remarkable turnaround in Redd's sophomore season. They posted a 27-9 record and advanced to the Final Four before losing to eventual national champion Connecticut. Redd's departure and Penn's graduation mean the Buckeyes will lose their two top scoring threats for next season.
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