Ohio State basketball forward E.J. Liddell has decided to enter his name into the NBA draft. However, one of the nice things about the process is that Liddell can go through all the paces, receive important feedback from decision-makers, yet still decide to remain with the Buckeyes next year.
It’s the same path that former OSU big man Kaleb Wesson took after his sophomore season before deciding to return and work on key elements of his game. He then went on to try to enter the NBA after his junior season. It was possible because of a very welcome rule change that came in 2016, and it really makes no sense not to take advantage of the benefits of valuable feedback that a player on the fence can get.
Liddell was asked about his desire to enter the NBA draft shortly after Ohio State got eliminated from the NCAA Tournament and said that he had not made up his mind at that point, but it felt like a foregone conclusion.
Now, that looks to have come to fruition.
“After spending time consulting with my family and coaches, I have decided I will be entering my name into the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining my college eligibility,” wrote Liddell. “Reaching the NBA has always been a dream of mine ever since I started playing basketball with my first YMCA team. Timing is everything, trust I won’t rush.”
— E.J. Liddell (@EasyE2432) March 31, 2021
We wish Liddell well in the process, and whatever decision he ultimately makes, but I feel good about him coming back next season. If he does, he’ll be on the shortlist for conference player of the year in the Big Ten, would likely garner All-American consideration again, and would make Ohio State a very dangerous team.
We’ll obviously keep an eye on this as news progresses.