FRIDAY, 2:11pm: Ohio State has formally announced that Ross is headed for the draft this year.
3:27pm: The announcement has been delayed until Friday, Zagoria hears (Twitter link).
TUESDAY, 12:06pm: Ohio State has a statement ready and will likely announce today that Ross is headed for the draft, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.
MONDAY, 3:29pm: Ross says via Twitter that he has yet to make up his mind about whether to enter the draft (hat tip to Connor Kiesel of Fox Sports Ohio).
2:13pm: Ohio State small forward LaQuinton Ross will declare his intent to enter this year’s draft, sources tell Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Ross is not to be confused with former NBA player Quinton Ross, whose name was in headlines today after the New York Post incorrectly identified him as the victim of an apparent murder. The Buckeye standout just completed his junior season, but there’s a wide split on how well he’ll perform in the NBA. Chad Ford of ESPN.com ranks him 32nd overall among this year’s prospects, while Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress has him at No. 65.
Ross became a starter at Ohio State just this season, putting up 15.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game. He was a career 36.4% three-point shooter, though he finished two for 21 behind the arc over his last eight games. Still, he has an impressive background, having been the top prospect of the 2011 high school class in the eyes of many recruiting analysts, as Givony points out.
The 21-year-old Ross found himself behind Deshaun Thomas, the 58th overall pick in last year’s draft, on the Ohio State depth chart after academic issues delayed the start of his collegiate career. His college playing days met an apparent end Thursday when the Buckeyes lost their opener in the NCAA tournament.
Ross has took to twitter a hour ago to dispute a decision has been made.
Thanks for the tip! I saw Kiesel’s report before I noticed your comment, but I appreciate it nonetheless.
–Chuck