Oden, Durant and Afflalo Declare For NBA Draft

By David
Kaye

College Basketball phenoms Greg Oden, Kevin Durant and Aaron Afflalo have all elected to take their games to the next level, the NBA. Ohio State's Greg Oden and Texas' Kevin Durant, both freshman, are regarded as the two best players in this year's draft. UCLA star Aaron Afflalo will forgo his senior season, instead hoping to make a major impact in the NBA.

The 2006 draft was very uneventful and has not produced the talent level which has been seen in previous drafts. I had the opportunity to attend last June's draft and meet countless players, but I feverishly am awaiting the upcoming draft which will produce a plethora of excellent basketball talent.

At 18, Kevin Durant exploded onto the college scene and had an impactful season. The AP Player of the Year averaged 25.8 ppg, 11.1 rpb and shot 47% from the field. He was also an impressive 40% from three-point range and 82% from the foul line. Additionally, Durant was named Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Despite a short career at the University of Texas, the All-American forward will leave Austin as one of the best college players in recent memory.

Even though there has been extensive debate over who the number one pick in this year's draft will be, I think Durant answered that question very quickly. He proved on countless occasions that he is a game changing player who can take over a game in a split second. He's capable of 20 and 10 every night and at 6'7, he shoots very well from the field.

Conversely, Greg Oden is a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball. He does not need to have the ball in his hands to completely switch the momentum of the game and that attribute makes him very attractive to many teams. I compare him to Ben Wallace, except that he has offensive ability. As seen in the tournament, Oden has a propensity to get into foul trouble and that must be a note of caution as he begins to prepare for his NBA career.

Luckily for all three men, they will receive hefty contracts and endorsement deals beginning this summer. Afflalo is a major attraction on the West Coast and Durant has gained national recognition in a short period of time for his excellent play. After the draft, Oden, Durant and Afflalo will have financial security for the rest of their lives.