Greg Oden Q&A: 'I’m not going to let basketball determine the type of person I’m going to be'

One of the biggest ‘what-ifs’ in NBA history is how great Greg Oden could have become. The 2007 No. 1 pick came into the league with projections from almost everyone that he was on his way to having a Hall-of-Fame career.

Kevin Durant, who went a pick after him, has all but cemented himself as a future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, while Oden only managed to play 105 career games in three injury-plagued seasons. Unfortunately, whenever the topic of bust comes up with NBA players, Oden is perpetually mentioned at the top of that, mainly because of where he was drafted.

On behalf of Lucky Energy, the retired big man spoke with HoopsHype about his injuries, his love for the city of Portland, his experience in China, advice he’d give to younger players, and more.