Western Kentucky center Charles Bassey (center) is double-teamed by Middle Tennessee forward Karl Gamble (left) and guard Antonio Green on Feb. 14 during WKU’s 71-63 win at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Western Kentucky freshman center Charles Bassey received an invitation Wednesday to next week’s NBA draft combine.

The NBA draft combine is a first step for a select group of NBA hopefuls. Bassey was one of 66 players picked to attend the combine, as well as one of 24 college freshmen.

The NBA draft combine will feature 5-on-5 games as well as shooting and strength and agility drills at Quest Multisport in Chicago on May 16-17. ESPN2 will provide coverage both days from 2 to 6 p.m.

Bassey previously declared for the NBA draft without signing with an agent in order to receive evaluation, while retaining his NCAA eligibility and the option to return to school.

The 6-foot-11, 245-pound native of Lagos, Nigeria, averaged 14.6 points, 10 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his first season for the Hilltoppers while shooting 62.7 percent from the field.

He led Conference USA in double-doubles (17) and ranked in the top 30 nationally in double-doubles, field-goal percentage, blocks per game, total blocks, rebounds per game, defensive rebounds per game and total rebounds while competing as one of the top-10 youngest players in the country.

He became the second freshmen in the country since 1992 – along with former Kentucky standout and current NBA star Anthony Davis – to average at least 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks while shooting at least 60 percent overall.

Bassey was named a Freshman All-American and was one of five national finalists – including the only freshman – for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award.

He became the second player in Conference USA history to win both C-USA Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, and he was also named to the All-C-USA First Team, All-Freshman Team and All-Defensive Team.{&end}