Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images file

High school star Greg Oden averaged 20 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in his junior year at Lawrence North (Ind.) high school. Oden was the national high school player of the year, according to USA Today, Gatorade and Parade magazine.

updated 3:45 p.m. ET June 29, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS - High school standout Greg Oden said Wednesday he will play college basketball at Ohio State.

The 7-foot Oden and Lawrence North teammate Mike Conley announced in unison during a news conference at their high school that they would both play for the Buckeyes, starting with the 2006-07 season.

Oden, the national prep player of the year, was considered a possible No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft until the league changed its rules last week to require players to be at least one year out of high school before they can be drafted.

The verbal commitments aren’t binding until the players sign letters of intent. The earliest they can do so is in November.

Oden, who has led his school to two straight Indiana high school Class 4A championships, said the NBA rule change didn’t force his college choice. He chose Ohio State over Indiana, Wake Forest and Michigan State.

“It didn’t really affect my decision, because I always knew I wanted to go to college,” Oden said.

Oden was named national high school player of the year by USA Today, Gatorade and Parade magazine after averaging 20 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots as a junior last season.

Conley, a point guard, averaged 10.7 points and five assists.

They cited a comfort level with Ohio State coach Thad Matta in making their decision.

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