Greg Oden

Gregory Wayne Oden Jr., born on January 22, 1988, is a former professional basketball player from the United States. Standing at an impressive seven feet tall, Oden played the center position and made a significant impact during his college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes. In just one season, he helped lead the team to become the Big Ten Conference regular season champions and the champions of the Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament, where he was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. The Buckeyes also reached the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, finishing as the tournament runner-up.

Oden's professional journey began when he was selected first overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, his career was marred by injuries, starting with a microfracture surgery on his knee shortly after being drafted, which sidelined him for the entire 2007–08 NBA season. After making his long-awaited NBA debut in 2008, Oden faced further challenges, ultimately leading to his release from the Trail Blazers in March 2012 after missing two consecutive seasons due to injuries.

In August 2013, Oden signed with the Miami Heat, marking his return to the NBA more than three years after his last game. He contributed to the team during the 2014 NBA playoffs. Following a stint in the Chinese Basketball Association during the 2015–16 season, Oden announced in October 2016 that he would retire from professional basketball. However, he made a brief return to the court in July 2018 when he participated in The Basketball Tournament.

In May 2019, Oden was selected as the seventh overall pick in the Big3 Draft, showcasing his enduring passion for the game despite the challenges he faced throughout his career.