2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., announced today that Greg Oden, former Ohio State All-American center and future top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft has been named the cover athlete and official spokesman for College Hoops 2K8, the best rated college basketball game for five straight years* and best selling college basketball video game series in 2006**.

"It’s a great thrill to be selected as the cover athlete for College Hoops 2K8," said Greg Oden. "2K Sports is all about bringing the most authentic and entertaining sports gaming experience and it’s a great privilege to be the official spokesman for the best college basketball game coming out this year."

Great basketball success is easily associated with Greg Oden. After leading his high school team to three straight state titles, Oden was named to the 2006 McDonald’s All American Team. Oden also made an incredible impact when playing at Ohio State University and took the title of Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year. Oden led Ohio State to the 2007 National Championship game where he scored 25 points, 12 rebounds, and blocked four shots. He is only the third freshman in history to be voted to the AP First Team All-American and will be one of the top picks in this year’s NBA Draft.

"Greg Oden has been called a ’once-in-a-decade player’ and he made an undeniable impact in college basketball," said Greg Thomas, President of Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio. "His amazing talent combined with dedication, work ethic and winning attitude will continue to make him a great basketball success. These admirable qualities easily made him the natural choice to represent College Hoops 2K8."

For five straight years, the College Hoops 2K series has been the top rated* college basketball game on any console and College Hoops 2K8 looks to continue that legacy with advanced next generation visuals and hundreds of new animations. With a wealth of new innovative features, including all new crowd atmosphere that can affect the game performance of teams, College Hoops 2K8 is set to run the competition off the court with amazingly authentic college basketball video game action.

College Hoops 2K8 will be available this fall for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems. More new next generation features will be detailed in the near future.

Credit: 2k Sports