Greg Oden Net Worth

What is Greg Oden’s Net Worth and Salary?

Greg Oden, a name that once echoed with the promise of NBA dominance, ultimately saw his career tragically cut short by persistent injuries. Despite the setbacks, Oden’s impact on the game and his financial journey remain subjects of interest. This article delves into Greg Oden’s net worth, salary, career, and personal life, providing a comprehensive overview of his professional and financial trajectory.

Early Life and High School Career

Greg Oden was born on January 22, 1988, in Buffalo, New York. His family relocated to Terra Haute, Indiana, when he was nine years old. There, he attended Sarah Scott Middle School before moving to Indianapolis, where he attended Lawrence North High School. Oden’s basketball prowess was evident early on. He led his high school team to three consecutive Indiana Class 4A basketball championships, a feat that solidified his status as one of the top high school players in the nation. His exceptional skills and dominance on the court earned him the prestigious title of National Boys Basketball Player of the Year in both 2005 and 2006.

College Career at Ohio State

After a stellar high school career, Oden committed to Ohio State University for the 2006-07 season. However, a wrist injury caused him to miss the first half of the season. He made his college debut on December 2, 2006, and immediately made an impact, finishing the game with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks. His performance quickly garnered attention, with sports broadcaster Steve Kerr famously describing him as a “once-in-a-decade player.” Oden’s college career was marked by individual accolades and team success. He earned the Defensive Player of the Year award and led Ohio State to the National Championship game in 2007. He was also named to the All-American team by the Associated Press, becoming the first freshman to achieve this honor since 1990. After just one year of college basketball, Oden declared for the 2007 NBA draft, where he was widely expected to be the top pick.

NBA Career: Portland, Miami, and Beyond

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden with the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, a testament to his potential. Unfortunately, a knee injury forced him to sit out his entire rookie season. While his second season saw him play a significant number of games, injuries continued to plague his career. He missed a quarter of the 2008-09 season due to various injuries, though he still managed to put up respectable statistics when he played. His third season was particularly frustrating, as he only played 21 out of a possible 82 games due to a fractured patella. In November 2010, the Trail Blazers announced that Oden would undergo microfracture surgery on his left knee, forcing him to miss the entire 2010-11 season. This marked the fourth year that Oden could not play a full season due to injury.

The following years brought more setbacks as Oden struggled to recover and needed multiple surgeries. In 2012, Portland released him to create roster flexibility. Oden then announced he would sit out the 2012-13 season to focus on rehabilitation. In 2013, he signed with the Miami Heat and made a much-anticipated return to the court. He started in 23 games and played a role on the Heat team that reached the NBA Finals, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs. Following the season, Oden continued to train, attempting to return to the NBA, but another comeback never fully materialized. On August 26, 2015, he signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association. However, he parted ways with the team midway through the season.

Today, Greg Oden works as an athlete advisor for Edyoucore Sports & Entertainment, a company based in Baltimore that provides financial education and consulting services to athletes, focusing on helping them understand their financial situations.

Career Earnings and Salary

During his NBA career, Greg Oden earned approximately $24.4 million in salary. Although his career was significantly shortened by injuries, he also earned additional income from endorsements and other ventures.