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Ohio State star to declare for NBA draft

Big Ten Super Saturday: Ohio State v Minnesota

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 20: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes works the ball against Davonte Fitzgerald #20 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the second half during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

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Keita Bates-Diop is expected to announce that he will be foregoing his final season of eligibility at Ohio State and declaring for the NBA draft at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Bates-Diop is a former five-star recruit that finally, after four seasons in Columbus, fully lived up to his potential as a redshirt junior. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year after averaging 19.8 points and 8.7 boards for the Buckeyes.

This decision will not come as a surprise to anyone that has been paying attention. Bates-Diop is a junior in eligibility only. He missed most of last season through injury and was granted a medical redshirt, and he did enough work to graduate in December, a semester early. He even participated in Ohio State’s senior night this season.

Bates-Diop is projected as a mid-to-late first round pick.

ESPN was the first to report the news.