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Report: Indiana's Noah Vonleh will enter NBA draft

Noah Vonleh was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year this season. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Noah Vonleh (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Indiana freshman Noah Vonleh will enter the NBA draft, his mother, Renell Kumeh, told Zach Osterman of The Indianapolis Star on Monday.

Vonleh confirmed the report to Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com.

"It's going to suck leaving college without an NCAA Tournament," Vonleh, a 6-foot-10 forward, said by phone. "But I have to do what's best for me.

"I've heard the fourth pick to the 12th pick is wide open," Vonleh added about where he expects to be picked. "[I think I'll be selected] anywhere in that range."

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Vonleh, who will be 19 in August, scored 11.3 points per game this season in 30 games (29 starts) and led the Big Ten with nine rebounds per contest. He shot 52 percent from the field, 49 percent from 3-point range and had 41 blocks.

"Some teams are putting him higher on their draft boards than [Kentucky freshman forward] Julius Randle," a scout told Osterman. "He's a really skilled player."

Vonleh scored in double figures in eight of Indiana's first nine games but only five times in the Hoosiers' last 11 games. He sat out two of Indiana's last three regular-season games with inflammation in his left foot.

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