Greg Oden had been one of the most promising big men to be drafted into the NBA.
He had the tools to not only make him a name in the NBA, but among the best in the league if he wanted it badly enough.
The Portland Trail Blazers took a chance, although they had made the mistake of drafting a center when they shouldn't have before.
Unfortunately for Oden, injuries got the best of him early. Micro-fracture surgery followed by many more surgeries deteriorated his career before it began. He didn't give up right away, but eventually things gave way and he found himself out of the league with nothing associated with his name beside “bust.”
Where is he now that he's been away from the NBA for so long?
The Indy Star was able to catch up to Oden and speak to him on his thoughts regarding his career.
When asked if he would play again given the opportunity, Oden didn't leave room for maybe.
“I wish. It's over. I wouldn't say I regret anything. I would say I just wish I did things better. I'm like, 10 years later, I'm back in line. I definitely feel like an old man.”
Jokes aside about how old he actually looks, Oden is only 28 years old, and should be entering his prime in the NBA. Instead, he is currently taking classes at Ohio State and working with the basketball youth as a student coach.
After only playing a total of 105 games in his NBA career, Oden now talks to youth about going pro, and the process of what it takes when one gets the opportunity. He takes on the role of mentor now, rather than superstar.
However, he also has had his fair share of trouble off the court. Oden was arrested and charged with one battery count in 2014 in a scuffle he had with a former girlfriend. He is trying to move on and make a better life for himself at this stage, and the mentorship is a big part of that.
In addition to attending school and coaching, Oden currently is working on getting his own life together by fathering his newborn child living off campus with his wife.
Oden says he's still searching for answers and working on himself each day.
“I'm still trying to figure out my life. Since I've been in fourth grade, all I've known was basketball. I'm just trying to better myself and work on my degree and set something up for the future of my family.”
Follow Us
Subscribe