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

I still remember watching the 2007 NBA Draft like it was yesterday - the anticipation building as Commissioner David Stern approached the podium. That year's first overall pick became one of the most fascinating stories in modern basketball history. The Portland Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden from Ohio State University, choosing the dominant 7-foot center over Kevin Durant, who went second to the Seattle SuperSonics. Looking back now, it's incredible how both players' careers unfolded in such dramatically different ways.

When Portland picked Oden, everyone believed they were getting the next great NBA big man. I recall analyzing his college footage - his combination of size, athleticism, and defensive instincts seemed generational. He'd averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks in his single college season while shooting 61.6% from the field. The statistics suggested he was a sure thing, but basketball isn't played on spreadsheets. His professional journey reminds me of something current coaches often discuss - the challenge of integrating talent quickly. I was recently reading comments from coach Tiongco, who noted how team chemistry develops over time: "We are good as a team, but we were built almost one week before the league started. Suddenly trades came in, so the chemistry wasn't there yet." This perfectly captures what Portland faced with Oden - they had the pieces but never the continuity.

Oden's career became defined by injuries rather than achievements, which was heartbreaking to watch unfold. He missed his entire rookie season after microfracture surgery on his right knee, then played just 82 games across five seasons with Portland. I'll never forget watching his NBA debut - it came nearly two years after he was drafted, on October 28, 2009 against the Houston Rockets. He scored just 4 points but grabbed 5 rebounds in limited minutes. There were flashes of brilliance - like his 13-point, 20-rebound, 4-block performance against Miami in November 2009 - but his body simply wouldn't cooperate. By the time he played his final NBA game in December 2009, he had undergone multiple knee surgeries that robbed him of his explosive athleticism.

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant was becoming exactly what scouts predicted - a scoring phenom who would win MVP honors and multiple championships. The contrast between pick one and pick two became one of the biggest "what if" stories in draft history. I've often wondered how different Portland's trajectory might have been had they chosen differently, though I try not to dwell too much on hypotheticals. The reality is that team-building involves both analytics and intuition, and sometimes even the most informed decisions don't pan out.

Oden's post-NBA journey has been remarkably human and relatable. He returned to Ohio State to complete his degree in sports industry, which I deeply respect - it shows maturity and self-awareness that many former athletes struggle to find. He's worked as a student manager for the Buckeyes basketball program and more recently as a community ambassador for the Celtics. In interviews, he's been remarkably candid about his struggles with depression and alcohol following his basketball career, which takes tremendous courage. I appreciate his honesty about the psychological toll of unmet expectations - it's something we don't discuss enough in sports media.

What fascinates me most about Oden's current situation is how he's found purpose beyond basketball. He's spoken about wanting to help young athletes navigate the pressures of professional sports and has been involved in various business ventures. At 36 years old, he seems to have found peace with his unconventional path, which is more valuable than any championship ring in my opinion. His story serves as an important reminder that athletes are multidimensional human beings, not just performers for our entertainment.

The 2007 draft class overall produced several notable players - besides Durant, there was Al Horford (pick 3), Mike Conley (pick 4), and Joakim Noah (pick 9). But Oden's narrative remains the most compelling because it encompasses both spectacular promise and human vulnerability. When I think about modern player development, Oden's experience highlights how physical health is just one component of sustainable success. The mental and emotional aspects are equally crucial, something today's teams understand much better than they did in 2007.

Reflecting on Greg Oden's journey, I'm reminded that sports narratives aren't just about championships and statistics - they're about human resilience. His story continues to evolve in meaningful ways, demonstrating that an athlete's legacy isn't determined solely by what happens during their playing days. The true measure often reveals itself in how they navigate life after the spotlight fades, and in that regard, Oden's second act might ultimately be more impactful than his first.