Let’s talk about Greg Oden, the man who was once expected to be the next big thing in the NBA. Standing at 7’0″ tall, this center from Ohio State University was drafted first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2007 NBA draft.
He was supposed to be a dominant force in the league, but unfortunately, his career was riddled with injuries, making it one of the most short-lived careers in NBA history.
Let’s take a look at Greg Oden net worth in 2023 and early life.
Greg Oden Net Worth (2023)
As of 2023, Greg Oden’s net worth is estimated to be around $15 million. This figure is based on his career earnings from his time in the NBA, which amounted to approximately $24.5 million.
During his time in the NBA, Oden’s annual salary ranged from around $4.3 million in his rookie year to $1.4 million in his final season with the Miami Heat. He also signed several endorsement deals during his career, including a deal with Nike that was reportedly worth around $4 million per year.
Early Life and College Career of Greg Oden
Born on January 22, 1988, in Buffalo, New York, Oden grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Lawrence North High School, where he led his team to three consecutive state championships.
He was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, with many experts predicting that he would be the next great center in the NBA.
Oden played just one season at Ohio State University before declaring for the NBA draft. In that one season, he led the Buckeyes to the Big Ten Conference regular season championship and the conference tournament championship.
He was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and was a consensus first-team All-American.
Greg Oden – Injuries Derail NBA Career
Greg Oden’s NBA career began with a setback. He underwent microfracture surgery on his knee in September 2007, which forced him to miss the entire 2007-08 NBA season. He eventually made his debut in the 2008-09 season, but injuries continued to plague him throughout his career.
In total, Oden played in just 105 NBA games over the course of his career. He averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. These numbers are not terrible, but they are far from what was expected of him as the number one overall pick.
Let’s take a look at Oden’s injury history in the NBA:
| Season | Injury |
| 2008-09 | Bone chips in ankle, bone spurs in foot |
| 2009-10 | Fractured left patella |
| 2010-11 | Microfracture surgery on left knee |
| 2012-13 | Arthroscopic surgery on right knee |
It’s clear to see that Oden’s body was simply not able to handle the rigors of an NBA season. He suffered numerous injuries, many of which were related to his knees, and he was never able to stay healthy for an extended period of time.
Miami Heat and Retirement
After being waived by the Trail Blazers in 2012, Oden did not play in the NBA for over three years. He finally signed with the Miami Heat in August 2013, but his time with the team was also marred by injuries. He played in just 23 games during the 2013-14 season and averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Oden retired from professional basketball in 2016, citing the toll that injuries had taken on his body. He may not have had the career that many expected of him, but he will always be remembered as a player who had immense potential but was unable to stay healthy.
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Final Thoughts on Greg Oden!
Greg Oden’s NBA career was certainly one of the most disappointing in recent memory. He was a highly touted prospect coming out of college and was expected to be a dominant force in the league.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed Oden’s career and he was never able to reach his full potential. While it’s easy to look back on his career with disappointment, it’s important to remember that Oden was a talented player who simply could not stay healthy.
FAQs About Greg Oden!
Greg Oden is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 2008 to 2014. He was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in basketball and was selected as the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
Oden played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Miami Heat during his NBA career.
Oden played center during his career in the NBA.
For a single year, Oden was a basketball player for the Ohio State Buckeyes. During that time, he helped lead the team to the NCAA championship game and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Despite his potential, injuries derailed Oden’s NBA career. He missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury and played in only 82 games over the next four seasons. Many analysts consider him to be one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history.
Oden’s career highlights include being named the Big Ten Player of the Year in college, winning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, and reaching the NBA playoffs with the Miami Heat.
Oden is 7 feet tall.
Oden’s net worth is estimated to be around $15 million, based on his career earnings from the NBA.
After retiring from the NBA, Oden has largely remained out of the public eye. It is unclear what he is currently doing for work or whether he is involved in any charitable or philanthropic endeavors.
While Oden’s NBA career was marred by injuries and unfulfilled potential, he remains an important figure in basketball history. He was a dominant force during his college career and was considered one of the best prospects in the sport for many years. Despite his struggles, Oden’s talent and potential will always be remembered by basketball fans.
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