There’s only one 7-ft tall, former No. 1 NBA draft pick in Columbus — and his name is Greg Oden.
We talked with Greg about playing at OSU + the NBA, his current role as a graduate assistant with the OSU men’s basketball team, working towards his master’s degree + more.
How was playing basketball at OSU?
I played basketball here in 2007. I think we lost four games and went to the national championship which we eventually lost to the Florida Gators. That year was amazing. I was Defensive Player of the Year, we won the Big Ten regular season and the Big Ten Tournament and I played with some great players.
That year, I got to really enjoy being a college student. The ability to just go out with friends and be a normal 18 year old kid was something I really enjoyed.
How was your experience as the No. 1 NBA draft pick?
That experience was a whirlwind. I was the first name called and I was the last one to leave the building it seemed like. Having that opportunity to play professionally changed my family’s lives. I wish I was able to play more, I dealt with a bunch of injuries. But I would never change the opportunity and the time I went to the league.
What brought you back to Columbus + OSU?
I always loved Columbus, it’s a great city. I came back to Ohio State in 2016 because I wanted to get my degree. I promised my mom when I first came here so it’s something I wanted to do and it’s kept me around the basketball team, kept me grounded, and kept my head up. I am in the master’s program now getting my sports coaching master’s degree.
How has your experience been working with the OSU men’s basketball team?
My eyes have been opened. I’ve looked at it from a players standpoint, and I was a manager a few years back. But now being on the coaching side, there are things I didn’t know. I really enjoy helping these kids figure it out through this process and you can see guys getting better and taking that step to be the player that we want them to be. To be on that part of it is very gratifying for me.
Thoughts ahead of OSU’s first NCAA Tournament game?
It’s going to be a tough one. Everyone is nervous, especially coming into that first game. We’ve got a great team that we’re going up against, Loyola Chicago, and they’re very tough, quick, and fast, and aggressive. We’re going to have to play strong, smart, and together. I know we’ve got the team and talent to move on but guys just have to get it all together and make sure that their mind is right and ready to attack it with a professional type of approach. Everyone is going to be nervous and adrenaline is going to kick in. We just have to be ready and take a deep breath and take it one play at a time.