Hooped Up

Mike Conley Sr., who coached Greg Oden in summer basketball and has known him since he was in sixth grade, has decided to start a sports representation firm.

The company will be called Mac Management Group after the founder’s full name, Michael A. Conley.

“I just need to start putting things in place, not knowing what any of the guys are going to do,” Conley Sr. said Monday, referring to several college players he knows who are in the position of making decisions about declaring for the NBA draft. “They’re definitely going to do something this year or next, so if I’m going to do it, I need to put myself in the position to be ready when the time comes.”

Conley Sr. said starting a firm should not be viewed as any indication that Oden has made a decision about whether to go pro this year. Ohio State is in the Sweet Sixteen, and Oden has said he won’t make a decision about his future until the college season is complete.

Indianapolis Star