Oden, Conley and Cook Leaving

On Friday it was made official, all three players will enter the NBA draft. Oden will sign with an agent, but Conley and Cook will wait, leaving the option open to return to the team a couple weeks before the draft in June. Conley and Cook will need to keep attending classes to remain eligible to return to school. Here are some quotes.

Oden
"very tough decision" "I love OSU and love being a Buckeye," Oden said in the statement, "but I also have a great opportunity to take my game to the next level and compete with the best players in the world. . . . I feel the time is right."

Conley, Jr.
“It is my lifelong dream to play in the NBA," Conley said. “I would like to personally thank coach Matta and his staff for allowing me the opportunity to play for a great university, rich in history and tradition. I would like to also thank my teammates and the great Buckeye fans for all their support throughout the season."

Cook
“I treasured my time at OSU and our run during the (NCAA) tournament," he said, “but I want to continue to challenge myself further. I know what I’m capable of and I’m confident I can compete at the professional level." "As long as I go and work out and do the things I have to, I probably won't be back."

Matta
"not surprised" but rather "excited" "I think it’s been kind of a goal of mine to have a player like Greg selected as high as he’s going to be." "We had a sense that this could happen. . . . It’s part of the process of recruiting these days."

Conley, Sr. (likely agent for players)
"Like anything, you can't go in with half a foot in the door and say I hope it works out. You have to make it work out.""They've made the decision that this is what they want to do. They want to play in the NBA. They need to go 100 percent at that goal." "What would have to happen at this stage is, something has to be proven or said that it's not going to happen. At that point, their options are open to go back."