In 2007 basketball big man phenom Greg Oden declared himself eligible for the 2007 NBA draft. Greg Oden listed at 7 feet tall and 263lbs brought the OSU men’s basketball team back to national prominence. Oden,was a highly sought after member of the super talented recruiting class dubbed “The Thad Five.” Oden, along with teammates, Mike Conley, Dequan Cook, David Lighty, and Othello Hunter was the “Superclass.” The team took the college basketball world by storm and made it through the field of 64 to the national championship, losing to Billy Donovan’s experienced Florida Gators. The Gators repeated as national champions, with returning seniors and future NBA players Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Corey Brewer. Greg Oden was the number one pick in the 2007 NBA draft to the Portland Trailblazers, and 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant, was drafted second overall to the Seattle Super Sonics.
The former all American never lived up to his potential and the hype, after having three major surgeries on both of his knees. Most recently he was on the Miami Heat for the 2013-2014 campaign. In seven years in the NBA Oden played less than 100 games. He also has had a bit of personal trouble as well, leaked nudie picks and a battery charge. I have not heard an official announcement regarding his retiring. I had a chance to chat with him and told him that “Cleveland needs a big man.” His response was that he was “retired.”
The one thing that everyone loves about sports is a comebacks story. Maybe, Greg Oden has one more comeback left in him.
