Gregory Wayne Oden Jr. was born 22 January, 1988 in Buffalo, New York. His mother, Zoe, didn’t marry his biological father, Joe Jones, but instead married Greg Oden and divorced Greg when Greg Jr. was nine years old. Joe Jones later followed his son’s career in pro basketball, himself having been a basketball star from 1982 – 1986. Jones played for West Virginia’s Fairmont State University and was known as “Big Daddy.” Greg and his mother moved to Terre Haute, Indiana when he was nine and Greg played basketball in seventh grade at Sarah Scott Junior High School after completing elementary school at Fuqua Elementary.
In eighth grade, Coach Jake Keefer recruited Greg Oden to the Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. Oden was a 2004 Indiana Class 4A State Champion. He played center in the 2005 – 2006 season and averaged 22 points and 10.5 rebounds per game with a 74% field shooting record. He led Lawrence North to three straight championships. Greg Oden was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball in 2006 and was a part of McDonald’s All-American Team. With Coach Jack Keefer and co-player Mike Conley Jr. Greg Oden led Lawrence North to 45 wins.
Greg Oden and his teammate Mike Conley Jr. went on to play basketball at Ohio State University. Greg didn’t get to play right away though as a wrist injury kept him on the bench at the start of the season. Greg was able to get off the bench and play for Ohio State beginning on 2 December, 2006. He had an excellent first game with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks. His two month average was 15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks. Greg was voted Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten.
Oden struggled a bit with fouls in 2007, but also blocked a shot that could have won Tennessee the game against Ohio State. Instead, Ohio kept its 85 – 84 win and this qualified the team for the 2007 National Championship. The title game was a 25 pointer for Greg.
On 20 April, 2007, Greg Oden announced his entry in the NBA Draft and on 28 June, 2007 he was chosen as the first overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers. The seven-footer selected the number 52, by taking the 5 from his high school number 50 and the 2 from his college number 20. Mike Conley Jr. and another player from the Ohio State team, Daequan Cook, were also chosen in the NBA Draft.
Greg Oden has to miss the whole 2007 – 2008 season due to microfracture surgery he had on his right knee. There was great controversy created when Oden was found playing a pick up basketball game at a fitness center in Tualatin, Oregon. Blazers Coach Nate Mc Millan wanted Oden to return to the team gym and work out there to prepare properly – hopefully for a full recovery for the 2008 – 2009 season. Oden said he played two games with friends at the center only because he lost the first game. The seven-footer added that he dunked the ball a few times without jumping. McMillan said he understood that Oden was trying to be careful, but couldn’t have him risk further injury. |
