In some alternate universe, Greg Oden is a 10-time NBA All-Star who bucked injury concerns to lead the Trail Blazers to three NBA titles on his way to a surefire Hall of Fame career. However, in this universe, the one that counts, Oden is an NBA bust with a body that never allowed him to stay on the court. His career featured sad moment after sad moment and ended after he played just 105 games over seven years.
Now, almost a decade later, the former No. 1 overall draft pick is back at Ohio State, the school he left in 2007 after one season to embark upon what many thought would be an exceptional NBA career. At the school's Columbus, Ohio campus, Oden is a 28-year-old sophomore who has enrolled as a sports industry major. He also doubles as a student-coach where he helps out his former head coach Thad Matta.
On Thursday, Oden did a rare phone interview with the Indianapolis Star and, when he was asked if he has any intention to pick up his basketball career again, Oden said, "I wish. It's over." He was also asked if he has any regrets, and he responded by saying, "I wouldn't say I regret anything," before admitting that he does wish things went differently. "I would say I just wish I did things better," he said. "I'm like, 10 years later, I'm back in line [at the student center]. I definitely feel like an old man."
Oden also spoke about the injuries that plagued him throughout his career. "Honestly, it was definitely unbelievable," said Oden, who endured multiple microfracture surgeries on his knees during his playing days. "With the third injury in a row, I was like, 'Are you kidding me right now?'"
Fortunately, though, things sound like they might be looking up for Oden at the moment. He's still stuck in limbo and trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life next, but he recently had a child and is using his connections in the basketball world to try and make the most of his situation at Ohio State by coaching and mentoring Buckeyes players. "I wanted to stay around basketball and coach gave me a lifeline to be here," he said. "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."
What a difference a decade makes. It's hard not to feel for this guy, and we hope he has a successful next chapter in his life.
