Former Ohio State star Oden works out for Blazers

Both funny and personable, the 19-year-old smiled broadly after jokingly telling reporters that he'd cry if he wasn't the top pick in the draft.

Oden says he and Durant are pals and trade text messages.

"We're pretty cool," he said. "This year we realized we were going to be connected for a long time."

Oden said he felt immediately welcome in Portland. Roy and Aldridge met Oden and his mother at the airport.

Fellow Ohio State freshman Mike Conley Jr. has also declared himself eligible for the draft. Oden is represented by Conley's father, Mike Conley Sr., who won the Olympic gold medal in the triple jump at the 1992 Games in Barcelona.

Pritchard said the organization is keeping an open mind when it comes to its selection. None of the Blazers' brass was indicating which way the team might be leaning.

"This gives us an incredible opportunity to improve our franchise for the next decade, so you have to be extremely careful," Allen said. "But it's a lot of fun."