By Robert Taylor Jr.
Managing Editor
No matter how many reporters asked that fateful question, the answer was still no.
Ohio State junior shooting guard Michael Redd will not return for his senior season, he announced at a press conference in Value City Arena, Apr. 25. Instead, he will apply for the NBA draft, which will be held June 28 in Minneapolis, MN.
"It was a long, thought out process, and I prayed about it," Redd said. "My answer was that it was time for me to leave. I think I had a great three years here. I want to thank the fans for supporting me, and Columbus as a whole has been great to me."
After graduating from Columbus West High School in 1997, Redd went on to become the first freshman to lead the Big Ten in scoring with 21.9 points per game. He also set school records for a freshman in field goals, free throws, 3-point field goals made and steals. In his sophomore year, the Buckeyes, with the addition of point guard Scoonie Penn, made it to the Final Four before losing to eventual champ Connecticut. That year he averaged 19.5 points per contest.
This past year, Redd averaged 17.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. The team lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Miami (Fla.) In all, he scored 1,879 points (5th among all-time Buckeyes) in 96 games.
"I thought about staying," he said. "I got a lot of things from people saying 'you should stay,' a lot of people saying 'you should leave,' as well. But I felt that this (leaving) was the best decision and I got to make it."
Redd's most memorable moments were last March when the team was playing in the Final Four, and the 8-22 season the team suffered in his first year as a Buckeye. He also plans to finish school to earn his degree.
It's projected that the 6-foot-6 guard will be picked somewhere late in the first round, possibly early second round in the draft. Redd eyes Chicago, Utah, Miami and Toronto as teams he'd like to play for. But "it really doesn't matter as long as I make it…It's just a dream to play for any team," he said.
Do you think Redd made the right decision to go pro?
If not, tell Robert at Jamzrap106@aol.com.