Columbus, OH -- (Sports Network) - Ohio State freshman center B.J. Mullens announced on Thursday he will enter the 2009 NBA Draft.

"I am saddened to lose B.J.," Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta said. "On one hand, I feel another year in school would have allowed him to develop into the player I know he can be and an additional season would have been beneficial to him both personally and monetarily in the long run. On the other hand, I am empathetic to the reasons why he has chosen to leave at such an early point in his career."

The 7-footer is the fifth Ohio State freshman to declare for the draft over the past three years, joining 2007 No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., Daequan Cook and Kosta Koufos.

"After long consideration I have decided to enter my name in the 2009 NBA Draft," Mullens said. "This was not an easy choice because I love The Ohio State University but the many positive reasons for moving on outweigh the many good reasons for staying."

Mullens mostly came off the bench for the Buckeyes (22-11) this season, averaging 20.3 minutes with two starts, appearing in all 33 games while posting 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. His 64 percent shooting accuracy was tops among Ohio State freshman all-time.