Greg Oden Has Become Center of Attention for Buckeyes
The attention surrounding Ohio State freshman center Greg Oden hasn't changed a guy who dreams of being normal.
There's one problem with that goal for Greg Oden. He's anything but normal.
Greg Oden has already been compared to Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Patrick Ewing, and the 7-foot, 280-pounder would have gone No. 1 in the NBA draft had league rules allowed him to enter last summer.
People stand in awe of the gentle giant. They ask about Greg Oden's shoe size (18), constantly hand articles to be autographed and want to compare their hands to his. Greg Oden is a one-man circus.
Yet there's been no problem with jealousy among his teammates, said Ohio State coach Thad Matta.
"I haven't detected one ounce of it,'' Matta said. "Guys appreciate who Greg is and what he's capable of doing. If Greg was a bad kid, there may be (jealousy). He knows that his performance is dictated by the other guys on the team.
"That's unique. A lot of guys aren't like that. That's what makes him special.''
The two-time national high school Player of the Year the past two seasons at Indianapolis Lawrence North, Greg Oden makes his first (and likely only) trip to Assembly Hall when Illinois (12-4 overall, 0-1 in the Big Ten Conference) hosts No. 6 Ohio State (12-2, 1-0) Saturday (1 p.m., ESPN).
Although the Buckeyes also include heady point guard Michael Conley Jr. and scoring whiz Daequan Cook - two other freshmen who might jump early to the NBA - Greg Oden stands as the center of attention, as much as he dislikes the idea.
"I just want to be a regular person,'' Greg Oden told the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. "It's hard to be 7-foot and be around. I just can't go any place and do regular things like other people. I try to be discreet when I go places and do regular things.''
Greg Oden averaged 15.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in seven games, after missing seven games while recovering from offseason wrist surgery. He wore a brace on his right (shooting) hand and shot free throws left-handed in the 74-67 win over Indiana Tuesday.
Greg Oden finished with 21 points, but his four blocked shots and inside presence were more imposing. The Buckeyes have scoring threats throughout the lineup. With Greg Oden, they also have a backstop to the defense.
"Greg Oden is one of those kids where 21 points is a bonus,'' said Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson. ''Had he scored 11 points, he still has a chance to be the best player on the floor. When I see Greg Oden, I don't see a great scorer. I see a great player.
"He does so many things. He's a lot more like Bill Russell than Shaq or Wilt Chamberlain. He's a winner. He's so smart.''
Described as 18 going on 40, Greg Oden isn't a dumb jock.
He quizzed Matta about the Ohio State business school during the official visit, wants to be an accountant and recently found himself interested in environmentalism.
"I appreciate who he is as a person,'' Matta said. "In general, I love being around him, spending time with him. We were walking through campus yesterday and talking about everything but basketball.''
Greg Oden was born in Buffalo, N.Y., but he moved to Terre Haute, Ind., after his parents divorced when he was 9. Greg Oden soon became involved in AAU basketball.
About three years later, Greg Oden met Mike Conley Sr., an AAU coach and the 1992 Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump. Greg Oden bonded with both Conley Jr. and Conley Sr., who became a father figure.
Eventually, Greg Oden's family moved to Indianapolis. Teaming with Conley Jr., Greg Oden led Lawrence North to three consecutive Class 4A state titles.
Cook and Conley also have star power. Cook (15.6) leads the Buckeyes in scoring while coming off the bench. Conley (9.4 points, 6.5 assists) leads the Big Ten in assists. Yet Greg Oden is the marquee attraction.
Greg Oden enjoys college, but he knows a serious decision awaits this spring, when he could make millions and help his family.
It could be stupid if he doesn't go pro, Greg Oden has said.
Boston Celtics fans already chant his name at home games, a reminder to management that there's only one choice in this summer's draft.
"We've never spoken about it,'' Matta said. "When the time is right, we'll sit down and talk about it. Whatever he wants to do, we'll always support him.''
There's little normal about Greg Oden.
NOTE: Illinois players won't meet with the media until after the Ohio State game Saturday. The Illini lifted weights Thursday morning and practiced Thursday afternoon following the 71-61 loss at Michigan Wednesday, when players were also unavailable to the media following the game.
