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Greg Oden Calls It A Day On Playing Career
Former number one overall pick Greg Oden has called it a day on his basketball career. Unfortunately for Oden and NBA fans, it was nothing close to what he dreamed of.
Oden earned the status of potential superstar big man as he excelled at the high school and college level, but numerous knee injuries and trouble off the court quickly derailed the hopes of the now 28 year old. Recently, Greg was cut from his deal and China, and it has spelled the end of his playing days.
After being drafted number one by the Portland Trailblazers in 2007, Oden was so highly regarded he was selected ahead of big names Kevin Durant, Mike Conley and Al Horford. Needless to say, he now holds the mantle for perhaps the biggest NBA bust of all time. Now, Oden has returned to his collegiate family at Ohio State, where he is majoring in sports industry and helping players out as a student coach.
When asked whether he would return to playing, Oden replied; “I wish. It’s over.” It’s definitely a heart breaking situation from the potential career he could have had if his body allowed him to. In fact, his injuries were so bad that reports came out Oden was even ready to end his career before the Miami Heat offered him a lifeline in 2014.
Reflecting, it’s hard for Oden to not picture the way things could have worked out;
“I wouldn’t say I regret anything,” Oden told IndyStar Thursday in a phone interview. “I would say I just wish I did things better.”
It’s a sad situation not only for Greg, but for NBA fans that missed out on a potential special talent. Likened to Shaquille O’Neal, Oden’s body never allowed him to reach that level, after undergoing five knee surgeries in five seasons in Portland.
Basketball has all he’s known, and even now, Oden admits he is still trying to figure out his life;
“I wanted to stay around basketball, and coach gave me a lifeline to be here,” he said. “To give me something to do with my afternoons.
“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.” – via USA Today
A sad day for NBA fans, Oden will now look to help future NBA prospects with their dreams, giving them as much advice about the journey as possible.
Another “what could have been” NBA story.
