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Greg Oden Draft 2007
Kevin Durant
NBA Basketball
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| Full Name: Greg Oden Position: Center Height/Weight: 7-0 / 250
Birthdate: January 22, 1988 (Indianapolis)
High School: Lawrence North HS (Indianapolis)
College: Ohio State NBA team:Portland Trail Blazers |
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GREG ODEN PROFILE
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An early entry candidate for the 2007 NBA Draft.
Career Highlights: Named to The Associated Press All-America First Team. Was the first Buckeye named to the first team since Jim Jackson in 1991-92. Named a 2007 Wooden All-American. Named the NABC National Defensive Player of the Year and the Pete Newell Big Man of the Year. Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and was selected First-Team All Big Ten by the coaches and media.
Freshman (2006-07): Led the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7 ppg), rebounding (9.6 rpg) and blocked shots (105). Posted 14 double-doubles and scored 20 or more points five times. Reached double figures in rebounds 15 times. Had a career-high 19 rebounds in a win over Purdue. Blocked four or more shots 17 times, including a career-high seven blocks in a win against Michigan. Had a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds in a win against Iowa. Averaged 16.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in six NCAA Tournament games. Came through with a 25 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks against Florida in the national championship game. Missed six games recovering from right wrist surgery.
High School: Named 2006 Naismith Prep Player of the Year, awarded annually since 1987 to the best high school player in the nation. Two-time Gatorade Indiana and National Player of the Year (2005, 2006). Only the second player to repeat as the Gatorade National Player of the Year, joining LeBron James. Also a two-time USA Today and Parade Magazine First-Team selection. Tallied 1,873 points, 1,058 rebounds and 341 blocked shots in high school, leading Lawrence North to three consecutive Class 4A state titles and a 103-7 overall record, including 24-1 in the postseason. The 2006 Lawrence North squad also was the first team from the state of Indiana to be ranked No. 1 nationally by either USA Today or Sports Illustrated, both of which rated the Wildcats the top-ranked high school team in 2005-06. Named a 2006 McDonald's High School All-American and played in the McDonald's All-America Game.
Strengths: Legit seven-footer with all the physical attributes to develop into a dominant NBA center. A game-changer on defense with his ability to block shots and rebound. Runs the floor exceptionally well. Plays with a calm and confident demeanor.
Personal: Son of Zoe and Greg Oden Sr. Has a brother Anthony who is a junior at Lawrence North High School.
news from http://www.nba.com/draft2007/profiles/GregOden.html
Historic Night For Portland
By Jim Taylor
trailblazers.com
New York, NY -- Speculation turned to reality Thursday night as the Portland Trail Blazers selected Ohio State center Greg Oden with the first pick in 2007 NBA Draft.
Oden, along with Texas freshman Kevin Durant, were the focus of one the most intense debates in NBA Draft history of which franchise-making player would be taken first.
"I know we're going to be connected for a long time now," said Oden. "So, Kevin Durant and Greg Oden, you just have to get used to the names together."
As expected the Seattle SuperSonics snapped up Durant, the NCAA College Player of the Year, with the second pick.
"He's a really, really good player," said Oden. "I'm a pretty decent player, so I hope things work out. I would love to get way more championships than him."
Oden joins a rapidly improving Portland line-up which includes Brandon Roy, the NBA Rookie of the Year, and LaMarcus Aldridge, a first-team NBA Rookie Team selection.
"Just being around those guys, they're all really great," said Oden. "They did have a bad rep, but I think Brandon and LaMarcus kind of turned that around. I'm hoping I can come in and just help push that along some more."
Oden is excited to begin his professional career after leading Ohio State to the NCAA Championship game that ended in a loss to Florida.
"I think the next level is going to really difficult, but I think as long as I improve and keep working hard I can play pretty well," said Oden.
Does being the number one pick in the draft take the sting out of the Buckeyes loss to the Gators?
"No, not at all, I still lost," said Oden. "They still won two National Championships, in a row, and that doesn't change. This feels good, but it's two different categories. I'm always going to have that memory of that loss forever.
Oden, who's battling a cold, might be in need to a little rest and relaxation after an exhausting few weeks leading up the draft., but still has a sense of humor at his post-draft press conference.
"I think I get like two days to relax before I have to start practicing for Summer League," said Oden. "Hopefully, I get to go back and pack because I think I get kicked out of my apartment the 6th and I don't think they want to have to throw my stuff out."
news from:
http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Historic_Night_For_Portland-230220-1218.html
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