Greg Oden talks about his NBA future; Carmel beats Lawrence North
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Former No. 1 overall draft pick Greg Oden went back to Lawrence North on Friday night to watch his alma mater host Class 4A No. 1 Carmel.
Oden led the Wildcats to state titles in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He played one season at Ohio State, where he was an All-American and helped the Buckeyes finish as national runner-up before being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers. He missed most of last season with a knee injury before Portland waived him. Oden planned to sit out this season and return next season, but rumors recently had been swirling that he might return this season. Oden shot those rumors down when he spoke with ISL’s Cliff Brunt, who covered the Lawrence North-Carmel game for the Indianapolis Star.
Here is a short question and answer session between Brunt and Oden.
Q: How are you feeling?
A: “I’m all right. Getting better every day.”
Q: What have you done to get to a point where teams are interested?
A: “Honestly, that was just the news. I don’t think people really knew what my plans were. I always planned on taking this year off and trying to get back next year. I’m still early in my rehab process. It hasn’t changed, really. I’m just still working little by little, taking my time.”
Q: Are you where you expected to be at this point in your rehab?
A: “Yes, I’m where I expected to be. It’s a plan that the trainer had, and this is where we’re at right now. Next year, I hope to be playing. That’s the plan if it all comes together.”
Q: What can you do right now?
A: “Nothing on the court. I just do stationary shooting.”
Q: So all this talk about the Heat, the Cavaliers and the Pacers was just talk? Was there anything to any of it?
A: “Not really. I think there’s behind-the-scenes talk with a couple of teams and my agent, but that’s about it right now.”
Q: So how confident are you that you will be able to get back on the court next year?
A: “If things keep going the way that I plan it, hopefully I can be on the court, but I can’t predict the future.”
Q: What’s the toughest thing about this process right now?
A: Still not being able to play. That’s all I really want to be able to do is go play.”
