I still remember sitting in my dorm room watching the 2007 NBA Draft unfold on that June evening. The speculation had been building for months about who would go first, with two standout prospects dominating conversations among basketball analysts and fans alike. When then-NBA commissioner David Stern stepped to the podium at Madison Square Garden, he announced a name that would launch one of the most fascinating careers in modern basketball history: Greg Oden from Ohio State University.
Looking back now, it's almost surreal to consider how highly touted Oden was coming into the league. At 7 feet tall with a 7'4" wingspan, he possessed what scouts called "once-in-a-generation" physical tools. His freshman year at Ohio State had been spectacular - he averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks while leading the Buckeyes to the NCAA championship game. I recall arguing with friends about whether Portland should take Oden or Kevin Durant, with most of us convinced Oden's defensive presence made him the safer choice. The Trail Blazers organization certainly thought so, seeing him as their franchise cornerstone for the next decade.
The tragedy of Oden's career began almost immediately. Before even playing his first regular season game, he underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee that forced him to miss his entire rookie year. I remember thinking at the time that it was just a temporary setback, that a player of his caliber would surely bounce back. When he finally debuted in 2008, he showed flashes of that dominant potential - in 61 games he averaged 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just 21.5 minutes per game. The numbers don't jump off the page, but anyone who watched him play could see the defensive impact he had when healthy.
Unfortunately, health became the recurring theme that defined his NBA journey. Additional knee surgeries followed, and by 2012, after playing just 82 games total across five seasons, the Trail Blazers waived him. It was one of the most heartbreaking stories I've witnessed in professional sports - a player with Hall of Fame potential whose body simply wouldn't cooperate. I've often wondered how different the NBA landscape might look today if Oden had stayed healthy. Would Portland have become a Western Conference powerhouse? Would we be talking about him in the same breath as other great centers of his era?
Oden's post-basketball life has been, in many ways, as compelling as his playing career. He eventually returned to Ohio State to complete his degree in sport industry, which I've always respected - it takes humility for a former number one pick to go back to school after that level of public disappointment. He's worked as a student manager for the Ohio State basketball team and more recently as a director of basketball operations for a high school in Ohio. In interviews, he's been remarkably candid about his struggles with alcoholism and depression following his NBA career, showing a vulnerability that's rare among professional athletes.
What strikes me most about Oden's current situation is how he's found purpose beyond basketball. He's spoken about wanting to mentor young athletes and help them avoid the pitfalls he experienced. There's something genuinely inspiring about someone who reached the absolute pinnacle of their sport, fell from those heights, and managed to rebuild a meaningful life afterward. He's reportedly involved in various business ventures and seems to have found stability in his personal life.
Reflecting on Oden's journey makes me think about the unpredictable nature of sports careers. We tend to view athletes through the lens of their potential and accomplishments, but we often forget they're navigating the same human challenges as everyone else. The pressure on a number one draft pick is immense - you're expected to transform a franchise, to live up to incredible hype, and to perform at an elite level from day one. When I see current prospects entering the draft, I sometimes think about Oden's story and remember that career trajectories are never guaranteed, no matter how talented the player.
The 2007 draft class turned out to be fascinating in hindsight. Kevin Durant, selected second by Seattle, became one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. Other notable picks included Al Horford at number three, Mike Conley at four, and Joakim Noah at nine. But it's Oden's story that remains most compelling to me - the ultimate "what if" scenario that continues to generate discussion among basketball fans. His career serves as a reminder that physical talent alone doesn't determine success, and that resilience comes in many forms beyond athletic achievement.
As for where Greg Oden is now, he seems to have found peace away from the spotlight that once defined him. He's active on social media but maintains a relatively low profile, focusing on his family and current work. Every now and then, you'll see him pop up at Ohio State events or in interviews reflecting on his unusual journey through basketball. While his NBA career didn't unfold as anyone anticipated back in 2007, his story continues to resonate because it's ultimately human - about dreams, setbacks, and the ongoing process of reinvention.