[McDunkin]

Greg Oden has returned to Ohio State as a student-coach.
Oden played in China last season after dealing with a number of injuries in the NBA. Oden underwent multiple microfracture knee surgeries and other issues. Oden last played in the NBA during the 13-14 season with the Miami Heat.
“I wanted to stay around basketball and coach gave me a lifeline to be here,” Oden told the Indianapolis Star on Thursday. “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.”
Oden is now 28 and acknowledges his playing career is over.
“I wish,” Oden told the Star. “It’s over.”
Oden was the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, leaving Ohio State after his freshman season. Oden is now a sophomore in college and majoring in the sports industry.
“I wouldn’t say I regret anything,” Oden said. “I would say I just wish I did things better.”
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/243800/Greg-Oden-Done-Playing-Basketball-Returns-To-Ohio-State-As-Student-Coach

[ChewyParticipant]

 all the top ones have highlights of them just physically beasting people for dunks. Greg Oden did his fair share of that too, but even in HS you could see he had post moves and had the ability to score around defenders just as easily as through defenders.

Everyone for the last 4 years saw this coming, but it still hurts. I really wanted to see him healthy at the NBA level.

 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

Sounds like a very thoughtful, intelligent and introspective guy. Wish him the best in his post playing career.

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 Did he get injured again or did he just give up trying to make a come back to the NBA?

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The sad thing about Greg was that apart from being an off the scale prospect, he always seemed a well grounded and thoughtful guy so he looked to have the perfect make up to succeed.

It’s a great shame his career is over but he is taking a postive step in his life by going back to college and furthering his education. He’ll hopefully use his career earnings wisely and could well in time look to get a job within the game as a coach or in a front office be in in the NBA or a at a college.

 

[Author]

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