Cook's mother likes son's three options
DAYTON — Renae Cook doesn't think her son can make a bad decision, even if that means entering the NBA draft and signing with an agent.
The mother of Ohio State freshman Daequan Cook realizes the risks and rewards of entering the draft or staying in school, especially since her son didn't have a great second half of the season.
Renae Cook was with her son Sunday when Mike Conley Sr., now an NBA agent, met with Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook.
"Everything was laid on the table," she said. "They went from the worst (scenario) to the best. I liked that ... There's some risks to all of them."
Daequan Cook met with Ohio State coach Thad Matta on Monday. The players are still deciding, with no announcement expected until possibly late this week.
The Big Ten's Sixth Man of the Year could stay at OSU, enter the draft without an agent or enter and sign with an agent.
"I feel kind of confident if he went without one or went with one. Even if he stays in school, which is iffy for me because I'm not a real big Thad Matta fan right now," Renae Cook said.
"I would back him on that, though. It's not about me. The last decision is Daequan's."
Daequan Cook's NBA draft options
Despite a diminished role down the stretch, some NBA scouts and executives consider Daequan Cook a draftable (top 60) player. His choices:
Stay in school: If Oden and Conley leave, Daequan Cook would be the team's leading returning scorer, but he has no assurances of increased playing time due to another talented recruiting class. A big year would mean a higher stock, but a bad one may knock him out of the 2008 draft.
Declare for draft but don't sign: Daequan Cook could work out for NBA teams and keep his eligibility, but would have to pay his own way, including going to the Orlando pre-draft camp. It's hard to travel and keep up with schoolwork. Players can withdraw from the draft by June 18. The draft is June 28.
Declare and sign: The riskiest option, Daequan Cook could use an agent's assistance to get to all the workouts and pre-draft camp, but there is no option to return to school. If he's a first-rounder, he'd get guaranteed money. If he's in the second round, he'd get a signing bonus and have to make a team. If he wasn't drafted, he'd be a free agent and may end up in the developmental league or in Europe.
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