In a surprising move, Ohio State guard Duane Washington Jr. has declared for the NBA Draft and will not return to Columbus for another season. The announcement came just four days after the end of the college basketball season, as reported by Stadium's Jeff Goodman.

Washington's decision comes as unexpected, given his current draft prospects. While he impressed scouts at the G-League Elite Camp and earned an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine, most scouts don't rank him among their top 100 prospects.

At just under 6-foot-3, Washington faces significant challenges at the professional level. He's undersized for a shooting guard position in the NBA, and his playmaking abilities aren't developed enough for a point guard role.

The timing is particularly interesting as his teammate EJ Liddell, who was seen practicing with the team recently, appears likely to return to Ohio State despite having better draft prospects. Liddell hasn't officially withdrawn from the draft yet, but signs point to his return to Columbus.

While another year of college basketball might have improved Washington's draft stock, he's chosen to pursue his professional career immediately. Though his path to the NBA may be challenging, he'll have the opportunity to prove doubters wrong and establish himself at the professional level.

For Ohio State, the focus now shifts to building around what appears to be Liddell's return, while Washington begins his journey to prove he can succeed at the next level despite the current projections.

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