NEW YORK: Greg Oden, a 7ft (2.13 m) center from Ohio State, was made top pick of the 2007 NBA Draft on Thursday by the Portland Trail Blazers, who decided the dominant big man was the prize catch of the entering class.

Oden, the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year for the NCAA Tournament runner-up Buckeyes, led the team in scoring (15.7 points per game), rebounding (9.6 per game) and blocked shots.

"I think the next level is going to be really difficult, but I think as long as I improve and just keep working hard, I can play pretty well," Oden, who starred as a freshman despite being hampered by a broken right wrist, told reporters.