Greg Oden is making a return to the basketball court, but he won't be playing for an NBA team.
The former No. 1 overall pick out of Ohio State has thrown his name into the 2018 draft pool for the Big3 league. Oden, 30, hasn't played in an official game since he was cut from the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association in 2016.
SPLASH ALERT 💦 The 30-year-old former number one pick out of Ohio State hopes to return to the court this Summer! Oden is ready to turn heads at the BIG3 Draft Combine. pic.twitter.com/fGQPB4PhIQ
— BIG3 (@thebig3) February 12, 2018
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After being taken by the Trail Blazers with the first selection in the 2007 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 105 career games. Oden told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" in 2016 he wanted to continue playing but simply wasn't healthy enough to handle the physical toll.
"I'll be remembered as the biggest bust in NBA history," Oden said. "But I can't do nothing about that."
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.
However, fans attending Big3 games have seen serious injuries before. Hopefully Oden can avoid any setbacks and enjoy some hoops before he truly hangs up his jersey.
