Who Was the 2007 First Pick in the NBA Draft and Where Are They Now?

I still remember the summer of 2007 like it was yesterday - the buzz around the NBA Draft was electric, and everyone was debating who would go first. That year, the Portland Trail Blazers made Greg Oden the first overall pick, a decision that would become one of the most talked-about draft stories in basketball history. Standing at 7 feet tall with incredible defensive instincts, Oden was supposed to be the next great NBA center. I recall watching his college highlights at Ohio State and thinking he was virtually unstoppable in the paint. The hype was real, and most experts agreed he was a generational talent who would dominate the league for years to come.

Looking back now, it's fascinating how careers can take such unexpected turns. While Oden's professional journey didn't unfold as anticipated due to persistent knee injuries, his story reminds me of how unpredictable athletic careers can be - much like what we're seeing with emerging talents in other sports today. Just this week, I was watching Wimbledon and saw this incredible match where a 20-year-old Filipina tennis player pushed Czech world No. 16 Barbora Krejcikova to the limit in a two-hour, ten-minute battle before falling 6-3, 2-6, 1-6. It struck me how these young athletes, much like Oden was back in 2007, come into their respective sports with such promise and potential. The parallels between different sports careers are often more striking than we realize.

Oden's NBA career spanned only 105 games across multiple seasons, with his best year coming in 2008-09 when he averaged 8.9 points and 7.0 rebounds in 61 games. The injuries that plagued him were devastating to watch unfold - multiple microfracture surgeries and knee procedures that ultimately derailed what should have been a Hall of Fame career. I've always believed that if Oden had stayed healthy, he could have been a top-five center in NBA history given his combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ. Instead, his last NBA appearance was in 2014 with the Miami Heat, after which he played briefly in China before officially retiring from professional basketball.

These days, Greg Oden has found a different path in basketball. Last I heard, he was working as a student manager for the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball program while completing his degree - a full-circle moment that brings him back to where his basketball journey first captured national attention. He's also been involved in various business ventures and has spoken openly about his struggles with injuries and the pressures of being a number one pick. Personally, I admire his resilience and honesty about his career challenges - it takes tremendous character to rebuild your life after such public disappointment.

The story of the 2007 NBA Draft first pick serves as a powerful reminder that athletic success isn't just about raw talent or draft position. It's about health, timing, mental toughness, and sometimes just plain luck. When I think about Oden's career alongside Kevin Durant, who was picked second in that same draft and became an NBA superstar, it's impossible not to wonder what might have been. The contrast between their careers is one of the most dramatic in modern sports history. Yet what I find most compelling is how Oden has handled his post-basketball life with grace and perspective.

In many ways, Oden's journey mirrors those of promising athletes across different sports who show incredible potential early in their careers. That young Filipina tennis player at Wimbledon, fighting through a grueling match against a seasoned champion, represents that same spark of potential we saw in Oden sixteen years ago. While her story is just beginning and Oden's playing days are behind him, both remind us why we love sports - for the human drama, the raw talent, and the unpredictable nature of athletic careers. As someone who's followed sports for decades, I've learned that the most interesting stories aren't always about the champions, but about the complex, often heartbreaking journeys that reveal the true character of these remarkable athletes.