Buckeye Big Man Could Be Next Great Big Man
Dennis Rogers
drogers@vegassummerleague.com
Greg Oden, 7-0 Center/Ohio State/Freshman
Oden, a 2007 AP First Team All-American for the Ohio State Buckeyes, declared for the draft late last week. Even though most people thought that it was a foregone conclusion that Oden would declare, it wasn't a given for the young center.
"This was a very tough decision for me," he said. "I love OSU and love being a Buckeye, but I also have a great opportunity to take my game to the next level and compete with the best players in the world. I've discussed this with family, friends and Coach (Thad) Motta, and I feel the time is right."
The projected top-two pick is the most hyped big man to hit the draft in the past 10 years. Many basketball executives compare his game to the one of former San Antonio Spurs All-Star David Robinson.
Oden is a naturally talented center with an NBA-ready body, who poses excellent shot-blocking ability and finishes around the rim. The National Defensive Player of the Year and Pete Newell Big Man of the Year winner blocked a Buckeye freshman-record 101 shots during the season. Oden also possesses great rebounding ability and moves constantly through the paint.
The thing that sticks out most about Oden is his potential. Great big men are hard to come by in the NBA and Oden has the chance to be one the best in a long time. At a mere 19-years-old the sky is the limit for the seven-footer.
Oden and Kevin Durant, the freshman phenom from the University of Texas, will become, almost surely, the top two picks in the draft. Oden's performance in this year's National Championship game against Florida (25 points and 12 rebounds), along with his exceptional upside as a big man, seem to have vaulted the Buckeye into the top spot.