This town’s only opportunity to see Greg Oden as a college player could be Sunday at Williams Arena when he and his Ohio State teammates play the Gophers. The NBA covets the 7-foot, 280-pound Oden because his potential indicates he may become Shaquille O’Neal’s successor as the most dominant center on the planet.
Oden’s shot blocking and rebounding are eye-catching. He encourages comparisons with a young Patrick Ewing because of their similar physiques and more limited offensive skills as college players. Oden’s statistics include 15.3 points per game, 9.5 rebounds and 3.6 blocks.
As always, stats tell only part of the story. Oden has been a major contributor to Ohio State’s success of a 22-3 record and No. 2 national ranking. Who knows how many shots he has changed or discouraged from being attempted because of his height, timing and long reach?
Then, too, Oden’s emergence from high school to college has been slowed by an injury to his right wrist. First, he missed part of the Buckeyes’ non-conference schedule and for most of the season had to shoot left handed (normally a right handed shooter).
The NBA’s new policy in 2006 requiring players to be 19 years old and a year out of high school gave Oden no choice but to play college basketball for at least one year. A source from Columbus said speculation has been Oden will play a second season at Ohio State but, of course, that’s just talk. He may not want to risk further injury without the security of NBA millions. It also wouldn’t be surprising if he’s somewhat frustrated by the college rules that allow lesser contact compared to the NBA and the resulting foul trouble that often has him on the bench.
NBA draft followers know Oden and Kevin Durant of Texas will go one-two in the 2007 selections if those players are available. Durant has more impressive stats (24.9 points per game, 11.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks) but he’s a forward and not a franchise turning center like Oden. New Englanders are already dreaming of a Boston Celtics (worst record in NBA) opportunity to draft Oden.