By Adam Jardy for Columbus Dispatch
CLEVELAND – They’re using a young photo of Greg Oden in the promotions, and for that the seemingly prematurely aged big man is thankful.
In a few hours, his alma mater will take on West Virginia in the final game of the Legends of Basketball Showcase inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Right now, Oden is posing for photos in front of a lighted backdrop inside local watering hole Barley House. In the back, a projected screen alternates between promotions for this afternoon’s fundraising event as well as highlighting former basketball players
Cycling through the photos is teenaged Oden in his Ohio State uniform, his entire professional career ahead of him. At the time, the eventual No. 1 overall draft pick was poised for NBA superstardom and a can’t-miss, lengthy professional career.
Things didn’t quite work out as planned, but along the way Oden was introduced to the National Basketball Retired Players Association. Founded in 1992, the non-profit organization was created to help support former players as they transition out of playing the game.
It’s a cause that matters to Oden, and it’s why he was taking photos, signing autographs and mingling with donors as part of a benefit to raise funds for the NBRPA on a blustery evening a few blocks from Lake Erie.
“It’s a long time from when you retire, if you’re lucky enough to retire around 30-something, until you get your pension at 60,” Oden said. “I know everybody thinks, ‘You played in the NBA, you played a sport,’ but these guys (have) got medical bills. I’ve got medical bills. To be able to help with that is big.”
That journey to retirement looks different for every player. For Oden, his path has been well-documented, from injuries ending his 105-game NBA career after the 2013-14 season to a student manager role with the Ohio State program to a college degree and now a job working for his former coach. Oden is in his second year as director of basketball operations at Butler, which is now led by former Ohio State coach Thad Matta.
It’s meant a return to Indianapolis, where Oden grew up and grew into a prep star at Lawrence North. That’s a more comfortable experience than it was in 2012 after he had been released by Portland following his fifth season with the program.
“I definitely was in a tough spot early on, to the point where I was rehabbing in Indy and I was so off of Indy, that’s when I first moved to Columbus,” Oden said. “I would drive the three hours to rehab for four hours (in Indianapolis) to drive back to Columbus at night and do it again three or four days a week. I just didn’t want to be there and run into anybody that knew me. “
Oden’s not exactly inconspicuous, and going undetected is a challenge even on the best of days. It’s a positive development for the 7-footer, then, that he’s emerged on the other side at ease with himself, his place in history and his current situation. Oden’s happy to take selfies when asked, he said, provided people are respectful about it (and they usually are).
Life as a member of a college basketball staff is getting easier the longer he’s in the game. Oden got his start as a student manager at Ohio State and eventually worked as graduate assistant before taking the job at Butler with Matta starting with the 2022-23 season. The more time he spends with Butler, the more Oden is sure of where he wants this all to lead.
Ohio State Buckeyes:Join the Ohio State Sports Insider text group with Bill Rabinowitz, Joey Kaufman Adam Jardy
“I’m going to go ahead and say that first: yes, I would love to be a head coach someday,” he said. “I have to keep on learning, keep on working my way up, keep on building relationships with people. That is the goal, but I know I’ve still got a long ways to go.”
Interview completed, Oden stands from the table and is immediately approached for a photo with a fan who has been patiently waiting for an opportunity. The big guy smiles, shakes their hands and happily obliges their photo request.
Just like a coach. Or maybe a philanthropist.