Greg Oden is back.
The former Buckeye All-American and eventual No. 1 overall pick is returning to Ohio State as a coach once again, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Oden was previously on the Buckeye coaching staff as a student manager and student assistant from 2016 to 2019 while he finished his degree, but this time he will have a bigger role – much more coaching and much less helping out as a rebounder at practice – and has plans to eventually get into coaching full time.
“I’m thankful, honestly, for coach Holt and his staff who have welcomed me in and given me this opportunity because that’s literally what I want to do is get into coaching,” Oden told The Dispatch. “One of the toughest things to do is get your foot in the door, so for them to give me this opportunity while I’m able to actually get a Master’s degree in sports coaching from The Ohio State University, which I would love, is something that’s just amazing. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m just so thankful and ready to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, has been out of the NBA since 2015, but has participated in a few other leagues and tournaments since, playing for the Jiangsu Dragons in China for a season, playing a game with Carmen's Crew in the TBT, and playing in a the BIG3 three-on-three basketball league.
