Ohio State star Deshaun Thomas is turning pro

4/5/2013
BLADE STAFF
Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas smiles during a news conference in Los Angeles, Friday, March 29, 2013. The Junior forward announced today his plans to enter the NBA draft.
Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas smiles during a news conference in Los Angeles, Friday, March 29, 2013. The Junior forward announced today his plans to enter the NBA draft.

COLUMBUS — Ohio State star Deshaun Thomas is turning pro.

The junior forward announced today he will bypass his senior season to enter the NBA Draft.

"My three years at Ohio State have been the best years of my life,” Thomas said in a release. “I have grown tremendously as an individual and as a basketball player. I intend to return to finish my degree, but I believe that now is the best opportunity to pursue my dream and begin my career as a professional basketball player."

The 6-foot-7 forward averaged a Big Ten-high 19.8 points as a junior and finished his career ninth on the Buckeyes' all-time scoring list with 1,630 points.