2007 First Pick NBA Draft: Where Is Greg Oden Now and What Happened?

I still remember watching the 2007 NBA Draft like it was yesterday—the excitement, the anticipation, and the collective gasp when the Portland Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden as the first overall pick. At that moment, he seemed destined for basketball immortality, a towering figure who would dominate the league for years to come. Fast forward to today, and his story serves as a poignant reminder of how unpredictable athletic careers can be, especially when injuries derail even the most promising talents. It’s a narrative that resonates beyond basketball, touching on themes of resilience, adaptation, and the harsh realities of professional sports. Just this week, I was struck by a similar storyline in tennis, where a 20-year-old Filipina pushed Czech world No. 16 Barbora Krejcikova to the limit in a grueling two-hour, 10-minute match before falling, 6-3, 2-6, 1-6, at a prestigious grass-court grand slam. Her performance, though ending in defeat, highlighted the thin line between potential and fulfillment—a theme that echoes Oden’s journey.

When Greg Oden entered the NBA, he was hailed as a once-in-a-generation center, drawing comparisons to legends like Bill Russell for his defensive prowess and athleticism. Standing at 7 feet tall with a wingspan that seemed to swallow the court, he had just led Ohio State to the NCAA championship game, averaging 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in his lone college season. I recall analysts predicting he’d anchor Portland’s defense for a decade, maybe even bring them a championship. But then, the injuries started—first, a microfracture surgery on his right knee before his rookie season, which sidelined him for the entire 2007-2008 campaign. Over the next few years, it felt like one setback after another: additional knee surgeries, a fractured left patella, and chronic issues that limited him to just 105 games over five seasons with the Blazers. By the time he was waived in 2012, his career stats—averaging 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game—paled in comparison to the hype. It’s heartbreaking to think about what could have been; as a basketball fan, I’ve often wondered how different the league might look if Oden had stayed healthy, especially considering players like Kevin Durant, who was picked right after him, went on to become superstars.

The parallels between Oden’s story and that of the young Filipina tennis player are hard to ignore. In her case, she pushed a seasoned opponent like Krejcikova to the brink, showcasing flashes of brilliance in that first set before fading in the later stages. Similarly, Oden had moments where he reminded everyone of his potential—like in the 2009-2010 season when he put up 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in just 21 games before another injury cut it short. Both stories underscore how physical demands in elite sports can make or break a career. For Oden, it wasn’t just about talent; it was about durability. Studies in sports medicine suggest that taller athletes like him, over 7 feet, face a higher risk of lower-body injuries due to the stress on their joints—a fact that makes his downfall somewhat predictable in hindsight, yet no less tragic. I’ve spoken to trainers who estimate that up to 60% of players with similar injury histories never fully recover, and Oden’s case seems to fit that pattern. After leaving the NBA, he bounced around, including a stint with the Miami Heat in 2013-2014 where he played 23 games, but it was clear the spark was gone.

Now, where is Greg Oden today? From what I’ve gathered through interviews and reports, he’s taken a step back from the spotlight, focusing on personal growth and giving back to the community. He’s been involved in coaching youth basketball in Ohio and has spoken openly about his struggles with depression and addiction post-NBA, which I find incredibly brave. In a 2021 podcast, he mentioned working as a student manager for Ohio State’s basketball program while completing his degree—a humble pivot that shows resilience beyond the court. It’s a path I admire because it highlights that life after sports isn’t just about fading away; it’s about reinvention. Compared to the tennis prodigy who, despite her loss, gained invaluable experience at a grand slam, Oden’s journey teaches us that setbacks can lead to new beginnings. Personally, I think the NBA’s emphasis on load management today is a direct lesson from cases like his, aiming to protect young talents from similar fates.

In conclusion, Greg Oden’s story is more than a cautionary tale—it’s a testament to human spirit and adaptation. While his NBA career didn’t pan out as hoped, his current endeavors in mentoring and education demonstrate that legacy isn’t solely defined by on-court achievements. Reflecting on that 2007 draft, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and sadness, but also respect for how he’s handled the aftermath. Just as the Filipina tennis player’s gritty performance against Krejcikova signals a promising future despite the loss, Oden’s post-basketball life offers hope. For fans and aspiring athletes, his experience serves as a reminder to cherish the journey, not just the destination, and to always have a backup plan. After all, in sports and life, it’s often the comebacks after the falls that define us most.