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Mullens to leave OSU, enter NBA draft

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From Staff Reports Updated 4:21 PM Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Ohio State University 7-foot freshman center B.J. Mullens intends to end his Buckeyes career and enter the NBA draft.

"After long consideration I have decided to enter my name in the 2009 NBA Draft," Mullens said in a release by OSU.

"This was not an easy choice because I love Ohio State University but the many positive reasons for moving on outweigh the many good reasons for staying."

Thad Matta, head coach of the Buckeyes, said it is difficult to see Mullens leave the program so soon.

"I am saddened to lose B.J.," Matta said. "On one hand, I feel another year in school would have allowed him to develop into the player I know he can be and an additional season would have been beneficial to him both personally and monetarily in the long run.

"On the other hand, I am empathetic to the reasons why he has chosen to leave at such an early point in his career. I wish him nothing but the best and know he will always be a part of our basketball family at Ohio State."

Mullens was a key reserve during OSU's 22-11 season, averaging 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds. He shot 64 percent from the field (120 of 188) to set a freshman record for accuracy. He also had 37 blocks. He averaged 20.3 minutes a game with two starts in 33 appearances.

Mullens was a standout at Canal Winchester H.S. He put a prep career high 62 points on Our Savior New American in the 2008 Flyin' to the Hoop tourney at Fairmont's Trent Arena.

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