Former Ohio State standout Greg Oden did not have the NBA career that he had hoped for due to some debilitating knee injuries, but it appears he is sticking around the game of basketball.
A picture of Oden appearing on the Butler Bulldogs coaching staff surfaced on social media Tuesday, listing him as the Director of Basketball Operations for the program.
Still can't believe this is real life: pic.twitter.com/A7fLmG9tse
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) October 18, 2022
He is serving in this role under returning coach Thad Matta, who has been away from coaching since the 2016-17 college basketball season.
Matta was also notably Oden’s coach during his time at Ohio State in 2006-07, so it certainly makes sense that Matta decided to give him a shot in this role.
This news officially broke back in April, but many who hadn’t heard about this took to social media to express their joy for Oden considering his basketball story.
Nah good for oden still sticking around hoops https://t.co/Cf5TPVx4V1
— NBA All Access (@NBAALLACCESS3) October 18, 2022
I swear if you read the comments on this you’ll see why this guy has the mental health struggles he does.
Can’t fathom being anything but happy for him… https://t.co/e9fY7zr15f
— JB (@OldTownCards) October 18, 2022
Good For Oden. He was dealt a crappy hand when coming to the NBA & #RipCity 🏀. Oden was the best player available when the The Trailblazers drafted him. I am happy to see him stay in basketball with the new job at Butler. https://t.co/PO5qE2joYm
— Jeff Grant (@JeffGrant8898) October 18, 2022
Can’t stand the hate Oden receives. People in the comments are acting like he isn’t one of the most talented centers in college basketball history. He’s also worked with OSU for years and came back to OSU to graduate with a degree. (1/2) https://t.co/Yup42lxb4s
— Matt Bishop (@ThatsABishop) October 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/Devyn15_/status/1582432441377386496
Good for him. Dude was a special talent and knows the game. https://t.co/UIVJ8891Q6
— Sean (@Sladek7) October 18, 2022
The pressure of being a No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft and not panning out can be brutal on the mental health of any player, but it is great to see Oden seemingly now in a good place with this role at Butler.
He certainly has the expertise for the job, being undoubtedly one of the most dominant big men in college basketball history during his time at Ohio State.
Oden was with the Ohio State coaching staff last year as a graduate assistant upon returning to school to finish his degree, and Matta has now given him a valuable role at Butler.
This only adds another element in what will be an interesting year for Butler with Matta returning after his lengthy absence from college basketball.
[Jim Weber on Twitter, Butlersports.com]
