Victor Oladipo is proof that hard work pays off. The Indiana product spent most of last offseason in the gym and it turned the previous fringe pro prospect into a guaranteed lottery pick in next week’s draft. With his improved jump shot and always-present defense, Oladipo could go as high as No. 2, according to some of the mock drafts.

Michigan product Trey Burke is a sure-fire lottery pick in next week’s NBA draft, which means he’s a wanted man. That goes for outside the basketball world, too. The 2012-13 Big Ten Player of the Year is featured in the latest edition of GQ, and it’s not just a simple mention or a single page. No, he’s got a four-page spread. See the photos in this post.

At 8 p.m. ET June 17, BTN will air a special NBA Draft edition of The Journey: Big Ten Basketball 2013.

The NBA conducted its draft lottery Tuesday night, setting the order of the 2013 draft which will be held June 27. And the Cleveland Cavaliers won for the second time in three years. Now, speculation has begun anew as to which teams will take what players now that we know the order.

The official list of invites for the 2013 NBA Draft Combine is out, and it includes seven Big Ten players. There’s the obvious quintet – Trey Burke (Michigan), Tim Hardaway Jr. (Michigan), Victor Oladipo (Indiana), Deshaun Thomas (Ohio State) and Cody Zeller (Indiana) – and there’s the league’s two best senior pro prospects – Trevor Mbakwe (Minnesota) and Brandon Paul (Illinois).

The 2013 NBA Draft isn’t until Thursday, June 27, but our “Journey” producers have compiled several of the show’s best feature stories on the Big Ten’s top draft eligible players. From Illinois’ Brandon Paul to Ohio State’s Deshaun Thomas, check out all of the well-done stories on the Big Ten players who are now preparing for the draft.

April 28 was the deadline for underclassmen to enter the NBA Draft, so the draft pool is now set. The big day comes June 27, but before that comes the draft lottery on May 21.

It’s official: Adreian Payne is returning to Michigan State for his senior year, stamping the Spartans as the Big Ten favorite and top national title contender next season. Payne struggled with the decision, waiting until the final day (April 28) to render a choice. He was projected by many to be a first-round draft choice. Payne will return to a roster that welcomes back all of its key components, save for departed senior big man Derrick Nix.

Trey Burke announced he was leaving Michigan after two seasons. And Tim Hardaway, Jr., followed him out the door soon thereafter after three seasons in Ann Arbor. But Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III are returning after sensational freshman seasons.

Gary Harris announced today that he was returning for his sophomore season at Michigan State. And he did it without a press conference, too. At 6-4, Harris would be a short off-guard by NBA standards and his ability to create his own shot also remains a work in progress.

First, it was Trey Burke declaring for the NBA draft. Wednesday, it was Michigan teammate Tim Hardaway Jr. making his future plans known.

Michigan’s John Beilein recently broached a good idea: Make the NBA draft like the MLB draft.

Michigan’s Trey Burke has declared for the NBA draft. No shock there. What is shocking is that it took him so long to make a decision.

The 2013 NBA Draft is Thursday, June 27. Any underclassman who enters his name into the draft has until Tuesday, April 16 to withdraw and retain college eligibility. Several Big Ten players face the decision of staying in school or turning pro. Track all the latest moves in this post.

Victor Oladipo turned pro on Tuesday. It was Cody Zeller’s turn Wednesday. And, like Oladipo, Zeller made a wise choice. Zeller has accomplished a lot in two scant years in Bloomington, helping revive the Indiana program by leading it to its first outright Big Ten title in 20 seasons.