Greg Oden was one of the best NBA Draft prospects of all time. He had been coming off an incredible freshman year at Ohio State where he led them to the Final
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Ex-Trail Blazers Star Greg Oden Speaks Honestly About NBA Career
Former Trail Blazers star Greg Oden spoke about his NBA career.
Greg Oden was one of the best NBA Draft prospects of all time.
He had been coming off an incredible freshman year at Ohio State where he led them to the Final Four.
Oden was selected with the first pick in the 2007 NBA Draft (one spot ahead of Kevin Durant).
When Oden was on the court, he was a very good NBA player who showed All-Star potential.
However, he dealt with a lot of injuries that derailed his career.
Recently, Oden spoke about his time in the NBA when he was on Gil's Arena.
Oden: "They like to throw out a bunch of words, but I do know for a fact that when I played, I was dominant. It was a time where I wish I could have stayed healthy and my athleticism, being able to run, being able to be strong, being able to guard the likes of SHAQ and Yao was a plus for me. I felt like I was almost there, I just couldn't stay healthy. I still remember when my kneecap broke in half."
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Greg Oden, the former NBA No. 1 pick and Lawrence North High standout, left Butler in September where he was a men's basketball assistant coach.
www.indystar.com
Greg Oden has a new job after leaving Butler basketball behind
Greg Oden has left basketball coaching behind, for now, and is focusing on a different way of helping young players -- by preparing them for life after the court.
Oden, 36, is the new director of player development at Edyoucore Sports & Entertainment, a Maryland-based company that offers financial education and mental health services to athletes and entertainers.
Its motto: "We empower entertainers and athletes with the financial skill to support their ambitions both in the present and far into the future."
Oden, the former NBA No. 1 pick and Lawrence North High School standout, told IndyStar in September that he was leaving his position as Butler men's basketball assistant coach. At the time, he would not comment on where he was heading next.
Through the years, Oden has been open about his struggles with mental health and alcoholism fueled by his disappointment in the way his professional basketball career turned out.
Now, Oden is helping other athletes learn the importance of education and financial literacy.
Early next month, he will travel to Atlanta to visit Overtime Elite - a basketball league featuring eight teams made up of top talent worldwide -- where he will talk to players ages 15 to 20 about life after basketball. Oden will not only share his personal journey but give real life advice and tips for life after basketball.
"I look forward to sharing insights on the importance of financial literacy and the challenges of navigating life as a professional athlete," Oden said in a statement. "Learning how to manage your resources off the court is just as vital as excelling on it. It's the foundation for lasting success beyond the game."