After being taken by the Trail Blazers with the first selection in the NBA Draft, Oden missed his entire rookie season following microfracture surgery on his right knee. That was the first in a series of injuries that ultimately derailed Oden's career and limited him to only career games.
Oden told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" in he wanted to continue playing but simply wasn't healthy enough to handle the physical toll. Oden understands he will forever be remembered as the guy chosen ahead of Kevin Durant, but Ice Cube's Big3 league could provide an opportunity for him to play in a less demanding environment.
The three-on-three format in a half-court setting should take some stress off Oden's knees, and he won't be competing against stars in their primes.
After his interview, Oden hurriedly grabbed his shoes and ran out to join his teammates on the floor. Those nerves seemed to dissipate Sunday after he bodied up guys like Al Jefferson and Chris Johnson, throwing down a pair of dunks and causing the crowd to erupt in the process.
That mindset is one of the reasons Andre Owens, team captain of the Aliens and a Big 3 player since , reached out to Oden earlier this year and later drafted him with the seventh overall pick.
Former Ohio State teammate Mike Conley told Owens a few months ago that Oden had been working out and might be interested in playing. Oden, in the process of finishing school, couldn't drive anywhere for a workout, so Owens drove out to Columbus to visit him. Oden says he's grateful to just be able to play again. Follow IndyStar sports reporter Robby General on rgeneraljr.
Contact him via email at rgeneral gannett. A foot injury delayed the start of what became his rookie season in , but he played 61 games for Portland. Glimpses of his potential came in a five-game stretch that January, when he averaged But Oden was not able to maintain that level of performance, and a collision with Corey Maggette in February caused another knee injury.
Oden managed just 21 games in — including another five-game stretch in which he averaged But he couldn't get back on the court. There were two more knee surgeries — causing him to miss three full seasons — before he played 23 games with Miami in Oden's NBA career was over after games. He averaged 8. On Aug. That December, he recorded a season-high 22 points and 14 rebounds.
When he left the Dragons in February of after 25 games, he had averaged I'm not coming back. I'm not playing any more. You never really look at the end while you're playing. Audience members were crying and laughing this week as Oden told his story of life after sports on a panel at Ohio State called "When Sports End. How did Oden ultimately make up his mind to climb out of that hole, asked Steve Graef, a sports psychologist at Ohio State.
Basketball was a gift that had been given to him. Maybe he couldn't play, Oden thought, but he could pass on the gift in other ways. So, I had to start getting better. It's weird, though, Oden said. Some days about 5 p.
Most of his NBA games were played at 7 p. After graduating in May, Oden wants the game to still be part of him. His goal is to land a coaching job, at what level he doesn't know. He just wants to be teaching players on the court. I mean, the game of basketball has opened up my eyes and my family and my life to so many different things.
I just want to be able to give that opportunity to another kid. Reach her via e-mail: dbenbow indystar. Facebook Twitter Email. Dana Hunsinger Benbow IndyStar.
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