Amanda Knapp
Greg Oden was a highly promising NBA prospect who suffered a series of injuries that ultimately ended his career. After a successful high school and college basketball career, Oden was selected as the number one pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. However, before his official NBA debut, he suffered a major knee injury, which was the first of several that derailed his career. Despite attempts to return to the league, Oden played his last games with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese League and retired in 2016 at just 28 years old.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 22 January 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Buffalo, New York |
| Height | 7 ft (213 cm) |
| Weight | 250 lbs (113 kg) |
| High School | Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| College | Ohio State |
| NBA Draft | 1st pick, 1st round, 2007 |
| Teams | Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Jiangsu Dragons |
| Injuries | Multiple knee surgeries |
| Current Occupation | Director of Basketball Operations at Butler University |
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What You'll Learn
Knee injuries
Oden's injury woes began during his rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers, the team that drafted him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Even before stepping onto the professional court, Oden had already sustained a major knee injury, which forced him to miss the entire 2007-08 season. This delayed his highly anticipated debut and set the tone for a career plagued by injuries.
Oden managed to return to the court and play a total of 82 games across two seasons with the Trail Blazers. However, his knee injuries persisted, and he suffered two more knee injuries during this time. Each injury setback required surgery and extensive rehabilitation, causing him to miss significant playing time and disrupting the momentum of his promising career.
In 2010, Oden underwent another knee surgery, forcing him to sit out yet another year. This led to his release from the Trail Blazers. Despite this setback, Oden persevered and signed with the Miami Heat for the 2013-14 campaign. He played 23 games and even reached the Finals, but this would be his final involvement in the NBA.
After his NBA career, Oden explored opportunities outside of the league. In 2015, he signed with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association. However, his time in China was also impacted by injuries, and he parted ways with the team in 2016 after playing 25 games. That year, at just 28 years old, Oden announced his retirement from professional basketball.
In total, Oden underwent at least four knee surgeries during his career. While his talent was undeniable, the injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential and earning the accolades that many believed he was capable of attaining. Despite the setbacks, Oden remained resilient and pursued various roles within the basketball world after his playing career, including coaching and management positions.
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NBA debut
Greg Oden's NBA career was blighted by injuries. Despite this, he was considered a promising player in his early career. Oden was born in Buffalo, New York, and moved with his family to Indiana at the age of nine. He attended Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, and led the school to three consecutive Indiana Class 4A basketball championships before graduating in 2006. He was named the Parade High School Co-Player of the Year in 2005 and the National Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006.
Oden played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes for one season, during which the team was the Big Ten Conference regular-season champion and Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament champion. He was also named to the Associated Press All-American Team alongside Kevin Durant. On June 28, 2007, Oden was selected first overall in the 2007 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. However, he underwent microfracture surgery on his knee in September 2007 and missed the entire 2007-08 NBA season.
Oden finally made his NBA debut on opening night in 2008. Unfortunately, he left his debut game with a foot injury after playing thirteen scoreless minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers. He returned on November 12, 2008, and scored his first NBA points in the first quarter against the Miami Heat. On January 19, 2009, Oden had a career-high 24 points and 15 rebounds in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, his season was cut short when he injured his left knee in a game against the Golden State Warriors on February 13, 2009.
Oden underwent further surgeries on his knees in 2010 and 2012, and was waived by the Trail Blazers in March 2012 after missing the previous two seasons due to injuries. He signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat in August 2013 and played in his first NBA game since December 2009 in a preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans in October 2013. He made his first regular-season start since December 2009 in January 2014 and played in three playoff games that year, including the 2014 NBA Finals, where the Heat lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
After his stint with the Miami Heat, Oden signed with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association in August 2015. He averaged 13.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game in 25 games for the club before parting ways with them in February 2016. In July 2018, he played for the Scarlet & Gray, a team of Ohio State alumni, in a summer tournament. He then joined the staff at Butler University as the director of basketball operations in April 2022.
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College career
Greg Oden's college career was short but impactful. After a successful high school basketball career, Oden chose to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes for the 2006-07 season.
During his lone season at Ohio State, Oden dominated the paint and established himself as one of the top players in the country. He was named the Big Ten Conference Player of the Week alongside Wisconsin's Alando Tucker on January 29, 2007, after averaging 18 points and 11.5 rebounds in the previous week. On March 6, 2007, Oden added more accolades, being named First Team All-Big Ten and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.
Oden helped lead the Buckeyes to the 2007 National Championship game, where they ultimately fell to the Florida Gators. Despite the loss, Oden had an impressive performance, scoring 25 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking 4 shots. This earned him a spot on the Associated Press All-American Team alongside future NBA stars Kevin Durant, Arron Afflalo, Alando Tucker, and Acie Law.
Oden's impact on the court was immediate and significant. Standing at 7 feet tall, he was a force in the paint, using his size and athleticism to control the boards and protect the rim. His defensive prowess was recognised across the country, and he was widely considered the top prospect in the 2007 NBA Draft.
Oden's college career was also marked by some setbacks. He fouled out for the first time in his college career during the NCAA Tournament, and was plagued by foul trouble throughout the competition. Despite this, he came up big when it mattered most, blocking a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds of the Sweet Sixteen against Tennessee to secure an 85-84 victory and advance to the next round.
Oden's talent and potential were undeniable, and he remains one of the most highly-touted college basketball players of his generation. However, his professional career was derailed by injuries, and he was never able to reach the same heights he achieved during his stellar freshman season at Ohio State.
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Post-retirement
Greg Oden's career was plagued by injuries, and he became known as the "biggest NBA bust". Despite this, he maintains a positive outlook, acknowledging his talent and the opportunities he had. In an interview with IndyStar in 2016, Oden reflected on his three consecutive knee injuries with disbelief, wondering if there was anything he could have done differently.
After his retirement from the NBA, Oden continued to be involved with basketball. In 2015, he trained with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Ohio State basketball team. He also worked out with the Charlotte Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks. That same year, he signed a contract with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association. In 24 games, he averaged 13.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. However, his stint with the Jiangsu Dragons was short-lived, and he parted ways with the team in February 2016.
In April 2016, Oden took on a new role as the student manager for the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team while completing his degree at the university. He graduated in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Sport Industry. Following his graduation, he began working as an athlete advisor for Edyoucore Sports & Entertainment. In July 2018, Oden returned to playing basketball, joining the Scarlet & Gray, a team of Ohio State alumni competing in a summer tournament.
Oden's most recent role, as of April 2022, is as the director of basketball operations at Butler University, where he works with his former coach, Thad Matta. This position marks a new chapter in Oden's basketball journey, allowing him to contribute to the sport in a different capacity and continue his legacy in the basketball world.
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Early life
Greg Oden was born on January 22, 1988, in Buffalo, New York. He moved with his family to Terre Haute, Indiana, at the age of nine, where he attended Sarah Scott Middle School and first played interscholastic basketball.
Oden then relocated with his mother and brother to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended Lawrence North High School. He dominated the court, leading his team to three consecutive Indiana Class 4A basketball championships. He was widely considered the best high school basketball player in the country, earning numerous accolades, including being named the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year twice and the 2006 Indiana Mr. Basketball.
After graduating high school in 2006, Oden committed to playing college basketball at Ohio State University. However, he had to undergo wrist surgery in June 2006 to repair a ligament injury, causing him to miss the beginning of the 2006-07 season. He made his college debut on December 2, 2006, against Valparaiso, coming off the bench and finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
In 2007, Oden was named First Team All-Big Ten and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. He led Ohio State to the NCAA Championship game, where they lost to the Florida Gators. Despite this, Oden's performance earned him a spot on the Associated Press All-American Team alongside Kevin Durant.
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Frequently asked questions
Greg Oden's promising NBA career was derailed by a series of unfortunate knee injuries.
After his first knee injury, Oden managed to bounce back and play a total of 82 games in two seasons before suffering further knee injuries. He underwent three more knee surgeries in 2010, forcing him to sit out another year.
Yes, through hard work and determination, Oden returned to the NBA in 2013, signing a contract with the Miami Heat for the 2013-14 campaign. He played 23 games and even reached the Finals, which they lost to the San Antonio Spurs. That was his final involvement in the NBA.
After his NBA career, Oden played for the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association in the 2015-16 season. He then retired from professional basketball in October 2016 at just 28 years old. He has since worked in various basketball operations roles, including at Butler University as their director of basketball operations.
