Buckeyes' Turner says he's headed for NBA draft

After collecting almost every national player of the year honor, Ohio State's Evan Turner said he will skip his senior season to test himself in the NBA.

The 6-7 point guard is expected to be a top-three pick in the June 24 draft. Yet he said his decision wasn't an easy one.

"This is the toughest thing I had to do," he said, his voice breaking. "But I was blessed with this decision and I have a great opportunity. I'm going to turn a leaf over and go on to the next stage of my life."

The Chicago native averaged 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 52 percent.

Kentucky takes big hit Freshman All-Americas John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins were among five Kentucky players who declared for the NBA draft, an exodus that includes freshman guard Eric Bledsoe, freshman center Daniel Orton and junior forward Patrick Patterson.

Wall and Cousins are expected to be among the first few players selected after leading the Wildcats to a remarkable turnaround season in coach John Calipari's first year on the job.

Players have until May 8 to change their minds, as long as they don't hire agents.

• Kansas freshman Xavier Henry, who averaged 14 points and five rebounds a game, said he will go through with his long-held plan to leave for the NBA after one season.

• Xavier's Jordan Crawford will explore the NBA draft while leaving open his option of returning for another season with the Musketeers. The sophomore guard led the Atlantic 10 in scoring at 20.5 points per game.

• Florida junior forward Alex Tyus, the team's leading rebounder, plans to make himself eligible for the NBA draft but won't hire an agent.

• Cincinnati freshman Lance Stephenson is entering the draft and hiring an agent. The 6-5 guard averaged 12.3 points per game.

Wake Forest fires coach Wake Forest fired coach Dino Gaudio after three seasons for failing to win enough games in the postseason.