NBA Draft: Oden Vs. Durant

When the NBA draft rolls around this year, there will be two freshmen players, assuming they both declare for the draft, vying for the top spot. Both Greg Oden and Kevin Durant have lived up to their immense hype. Oden was rated as the best center in the country and had top ten highlights as a senior in high school! Meanwhile, Durant was rated second-best in the country coming out of his high school and has improved with time on the Longhorns. Here is a quick look at their respective statistics so far in the NCAA:

Greg Oden

• Coming Into College: A seven-foot center who has had a NBA body since high school. Look at how far along he is developed as an athlete compared to past center studs like Dwight Howard and Yao Ming, and you can immediately see his appeal.
• Season Stats: Averages 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in 29.4 minutes a game. His field-goal percentage is 61.7!
• Interesting Tidbit: Played most of this season with his shooting hand recovering from surgery. Shot mostly with his left-hand during this period.
• Best Statistical Game of the Season: Scored 24 points and added 15 boards and 3 blocks in a two-point win over Tennessee. Shot 9/13 from the field and 6/6 from the free-throw line.
• Worst Statistical Game of the Season: In the team's biggest game of the season, arguably, against Florida, Oden only scored 7 points and had 6 boards. Foul trouble hurt him all game long.
• Best NBA Asset: Quality centers are hard to find in this league. In the last couple of years, only a handful have shown the potential to become dominant. Oden looks to have the talent and mindset to be one of those few.
• To Guarantee #1 He Needs To: Stay healthy and lead his Buckeyes to at least the Sweet Sixteen.

Kevin Durant

• Coming Into College: Impressed scouts in the McDonald's All-American game and showed athleticism and range from all over the court.
• Season Stats: Fifth in the NCAA in scoring with 25.3 points per game and third in rebounding with 11.5 a game. Durant shoots field goals at 47.8% and also shoots 42.4% from the three-point line.
• Interesting Tidbit: Has eighteen double-doubles on the season.
• Best Statistical Game of the Season: Against Bobby Knight's Texas Tech Red Raiders, Durant posted 37 points and 23 rebounds while shooting over 50% and hitting three three-pointers. After the game, even the legendary coach he just beat was raving about his skills.
• Worst Statistical Game of the Season: Posted only 12 and 8 in a loss to Villanova on 4/15 shooting.
• Best NBA Asset: Unlike Oden, Durant has shown a real passion to win and has been the featured athlete on his team all year. He has proven time and time again he can make big plays and dominate games on a nightly basis.
• To Guarantee #1 He Needs To: Average 30 and 20 during March or hope to run into a team that already is set for the future at center.

Overall, it is hard to imagine any team passing up on Greg Oden if they get the number one pick. But with the NCAA Tournament around the corner, both players have one last chance to impress their doubters.