I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2007 NBA Draft like it was yesterday. As someone who has followed basketball religiously since the early 2000s, that particular draft class felt special from the start. The Portland Trail Blazers held the coveted first pick, and the basketball world held its collective breath waiting to see who they would select. The answer came on June 28, 2007, at Madison Square Garden: Greg Oden from Ohio State University.
Looking back now, it's fascinating how draft expectations can diverge so dramatically from reality. Oden was touted as a once-in-a-generation center, drawing comparisons to Bill Russell for his defensive prowess and leadership. Standing at 7 feet tall with incredible athleticism for his size, he seemed destined for NBA stardom. I recall watching his college highlights and thinking the Blazers had secured their franchise cornerstone for the next decade. The debate between Oden and Kevin Durant, who went second to Seattle, was intense among fans and analysts alike. Personally, I was firmly in the Oden camp - his combination of size, timing, and basketball IQ seemed too valuable to pass up.
The trajectory of Oden's career serves as a sobering reminder of how injuries can derail even the most promising talents. His rookie season was delayed due to microfracture surgery on his right knee, and he would only play 82 games for Portland across five seasons. I remember watching his debut against the Lakers in 2008 and being impressed by his presence, but also noticing he didn't quite have the same explosiveness we saw in college. The numbers tell a stark story: 82 games played over five seasons with the Blazers, averaging 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds. These aren't the statistics you expect from a first overall pick.
What's particularly striking about Oden's story is how it parallels the unpredictable nature of sports careers across different disciplines. Just this week, I was watching Wimbledon and saw another young athlete facing similar career-defining moments. That 20-year-old Filipina tennis player pushing Czech world No. 16 Barbora Krejcikova to the limit in that two-hour, 10-minute match before falling 6-3, 2-6, 1-6 on Tuesday night reminded me how these early career moments can shape an athlete's entire trajectory. Both were young talents at crucial junctures, though their paths would understandably differ dramatically from there.
After multiple knee surgeries and failed comeback attempts, Oden's NBA career effectively ended after the 2013-14 season with Miami. His final NBA statistics show 105 total games played with averages of 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds. These numbers barely hint at the promise he once showed. I've often wondered how different things might have been if modern sports medicine and load management techniques existed back then. The Blazers' medical staff faced significant criticism, but having spoken with sports medicine professionals since, I've come to believe Oden's body simply wasn't built to withstand the rigors of professional basketball at that level.
Where is Greg Oden now? He completed his degree at Ohio State in 2019 and has worked as a student manager for the Buckeyes' basketball program. Recently, he joined the Butler University men's basketball staff as director of basketball operations. It's heartening to see him remain involved in the sport, though in a much different capacity than anyone anticipated back in 2007. I had the opportunity to hear him speak at a basketball clinic last year, and he displayed remarkable perspective about his career journey. He's noticeably at peace with how things unfolded, which is more than many former athletes can say.
The story of the 2007 first pick becomes even more poignant when you consider the careers of other players from that draft class. Kevin Durant has become one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, Al Horford just played in his second NBA Finals at age 37, and even later picks like Marc Gasol had All-Star careers. There's an alternate universe where Oden and Durant become the defining rivalry of their generation, but we live in this one where injuries prevented that from happening. As someone who's followed the NBA for decades, I've come to appreciate that for every LeBron James who meets expectations, there are several Greg Odens who remind us of sports' inherent unpredictability.
What Oden's journey teaches us extends beyond basketball. It's about resilience, adapting to circumstances, and finding new purposes. His current role in college basketball allows him to mentor young players, sharing both his basketball knowledge and the wisdom gained from his unique experiences. In many ways, he's better positioned to guide young athletes than someone whose career followed a more conventional path. The man who was supposed to dominate the NBA now helps shape the next generation, and there's something beautifully circular about that.
Reflecting on that 2007 draft now, with the benefit of hindsight, I've modified my perspective on evaluating young talent. Physical tools and college production matter, but durability and long-term development potential are equally crucial. Teams today invest significantly more in sports science and player wellness because of cases like Oden's. His story, while ultimately about unfulfilled potential, continues to influence how organizations approach player development and health management. And for us fans, it serves as a reminder to appreciate the careers that do flourish, because nothing in sports is guaranteed.
