Ohio State center Greg Oden left the Buckeyes on Tuesday to return to his childhood home in Terre Haute, Ind., for the funeral of a close friend killed in a car accident last weekend.
Travis Smith, Oden's best friend from his adolescent years, was killed in an automobile accident on Saturday night in Muncie, Ind. Smith was a freshman at Ball State and a member of the golf team.
Also, junior forward Othello Hunter lost both a grandmother and a grandfather over the past week in their native Africa.
"Sunday was really a tough day, as guys were finding out," coach Thad Matta said. "We've got a great group of guys and they feel the pain and the hurt that a couple of their teammates are going through."
Both players are expected to play when they the fourth-ranked Buckeyes visit Purdue on Wednesday night.
Oden, who went to high school in Indianapolis, learned of Smith's death after the Buckeyes beat Michigan State 66-64 on Saturday night.
The 7-foot freshman practiced with the team on Sunday and Monday before leaving to attend visiting hours at the funeral home. He remained in Indiana on Tuesday afternoon and evening, missing the Buckeyes' practice and trip to West Lafayette, Ind., and was to attend Smith's funeral on Wednesday morning. Oden will then rejoin his teammates.
"He is going through a lot right now," guard Jamar Butler said. "He's a tough kid. He's going to deal with it. He'll be fine. Over time, he'll get better and better."
Hunter, who often teams with Oden in the frontcourt, remained with the team. He is from Winston-Salem, N.C., and played last season at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla.
NBA Future: DeMarcus Cousins DeMarcus Cousins is a big PF who averaged 26 pts, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 70% FG and 80% FT per game as a freshman in high school last year. DeMarcus Cousins has developing post moves, is an excellent rebounder, and a solid athlete. DeMarcus Cousins' ability to overpower players gives him a very high ceiling. DeMarcus Cousins has a 7'3" wingspan and 9'0" standing reach. DeMarcus Cousins is very raw. DeMarcus Cousins needs to work on his footwork and decision making mostly. DeMarcus Cousins offense is coming along fine, but he needs to become more of a leader on defense. DeMarcus Cousins consistency is also a problem against top competition.
NBA Future: Jrue Holiday
Check out Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 sophomore shooting guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall, one of the elite guards in the west, regardless of class...
Jrue Holiday, the 6-3 sophomore shooting guard from North Hollywood (Calif.) Campbell Hall, is seen here in action from a CIF playoff game last week.
Jrue Holiday is #21 in white, not to be confused with his older brother, 6-6 junior Justin Holiday, who is #22.
NBA Future: Dashonte Riley
H.S. Detroit Cass Tech
Age: 14
Sport: Basketball. She starts on the varsity basketball team.
Family: Mother, Collette Anderson; twin sister, Daisha Riley, 14
What surprises you the most about high school? "There is way more kids in school. In basketball, the speed of the game is faster."
Favorite subject: Math
Least favorite subject: Science
What are your goals for high school? "To graduate and to continue to learn."
