You know, as a lifelong basketball fan who's followed the NBA draft religiously since the early 2000s, I've always found it fascinating to track how these young prospects develop over time. Today, I want to explore a question that's been on my mind lately: Who was the 2007 first pick NBA draft and where are they now?
Wait, who actually got selected first in that 2007 draft?
Let me take you back to that electric night at Madison Square Garden. The Portland Trail Blazers held the coveted first pick, and they selected Greg Oden from Ohio State University. I remember watching that draft live, and honestly, most analysts considered it a no-brainer - Oden was viewed as a once-in-a-generation big man. Standing at 7 feet tall with incredible defensive instincts, he drew comparisons to Bill Russell. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant went second to Seattle, and I'll admit - I was among those who thought Portland made the right choice at the time.
So what made Greg Oden so special coming out of college?
Looking back at his college footage, Oden's physical presence was just staggering. In his single season at Ohio State, he averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks despite playing with a surgically repaired right wrist. What impressed me most was his basketball IQ for someone so young - he had this innate understanding of positioning and timing that you can't teach. He led Ohio State to the NCAA championship game as a freshman, which is incredibly rare for a true center. The hype surrounding him felt justified, much like when you see a young tennis prodigy making waves - similar to that 20-year-old Filipina who recently pushed Czech world No. 16 Barbora Krejcikova to the limit in that thrilling two-hour, ten-minute match at Wimbledon.
What happened to his NBA career then?
This is where the story takes a heartbreaking turn. Oden's professional career became what many consider one of the biggest "what if" scenarios in modern sports. Microfracture surgery on his right knee caused him to miss his entire rookie season. When he finally debuted in 2008, he showed flashes of brilliance - I recall watching him block multiple shots against the Lakers in one game and thinking "this is why he was the first pick." But the injuries just kept coming: fractured kneecaps, additional microfracture procedures, multiple arthroscopic surgeries. He ended up playing only 105 games over five seasons with Portland before they finally waived him in 2012. His career reminds me of how promising young athletes can show incredible fight - like that Filipina tennis player who battled through three sets before falling 6-3, 2-6, 1-6 in her maiden campaign at the prestigious grass-court grand slam.
Did he completely disappear from basketball after Portland?
Not immediately! He actually had a brief comeback attempt with the Miami Heat in 2013-14, playing 23 games. I remember watching one of those Heat games specifically to see how he moved - his mobility was clearly compromised, but he still had moments where you could see glimpses of that old dominance. After Miami, he played professionally in China for one season before officially retiring from basketball in 2016. His story makes me think about the different paths athletes take - some have long, illustrious careers while others, despite showing tremendous potential like that young Filipina at Wimbledon, face early challenges in their professional journeys.
What's Greg Oden doing today?
Last I heard, he's been working as a student assistant coach at Ohio State University since 2019 - kind of coming full circle back to where his basketball journey really took off. He's also been involved in various business ventures and seems to have found peace away from the spotlight. In interviews, he's been remarkably candid about his struggles with injuries and the pressure of being a number one pick. His current role in developing young players makes perfect sense - who better to guide them than someone who's experienced both the highest highs and lowest lows of professional sports?
How does his legacy compare to other first picks?
This is where it gets interesting historically. Among the 76 first overall picks in NBA history, Oden's career is undoubtedly one of the most tragic. When you look at the question "who was the 2007 first pick NBA draft and where are they now," the answer carries a certain weight about unfulfilled potential. Meanwhile, players selected after him - Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Mike Conley - have had All-Star careers. It's a stark reminder that draft position doesn't guarantee success, similar to how in tennis, being a highly touted young player doesn't always translate to immediate grand slam victories, as we saw with that determined Filipina pushing a world No. 16 to her limits before ultimately falling in three sets.
What can we learn from his story?
Having followed sports for decades, Oden's journey teaches us about resilience beyond basketball. The man faced incredible public scrutiny and physical challenges, yet he's rebuilt his life with grace and purpose. His story resonates with me because it's not just about basketball - it's about human perseverance. Whether it's a number one draft pick navigating career-altering injuries or a young tennis player fighting through her first Wimbledon campaign, these narratives remind us that an athlete's true character often reveals itself during challenging moments rather than triumphant ones.
Final thoughts on where they are now?
When people ask "who was the 2007 first pick NBA draft and where are they now," I always feel a mix of nostalgia and melancholy. Greg Oden's current role as a mentor to young athletes represents a beautiful redemption arc. He's using his hard-earned wisdom to guide the next generation, which I find incredibly admirable. His journey, much like that promising Filipina tennis player's gritty performance against a seasoned champion, demonstrates that early career struggles don't define an athlete's entire story. Sometimes, the most meaningful contributions happen away from the bright lights of prime time.
