Greg Oden is not done playing professional basketball yet. The former number one overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers will be playing overseas with the Jiangsu Dragons. According to Sportando, Oden passed the tryout period in China and has signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
For Oden, this is good news as his basketball career has been derailed by injuries. In 2007, the 7-footer from Ohio State was pegged as the next great big man to play in the NBA. Oden missed his entire rookie season thanks to microfracture surgery on his right knee during the preseason.
Then, in the 2008-09 season, Oden made his return to the court where he played in 61 games and averaged 8.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Just when it seemed like Oden was on his way, the next season he fractured his left patella, which caused him to only play in 21 games in 2009-10. After missing the 2009-10 season, Oden would go on to miss the 2010-11 season as on November 17, 2010 he underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee.
Finally, in the 2013-14 season, Oden was back on the court with the Miami Heat, who took a flyer on him. With Miami, he played in 23 games (started in six games) and averaged 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game.
The 27-year old did not play this basketball this past season but has a unique opportunity with the Dragons. If Oden shows that he can stay healthy and be productive, it is not out of the realm of possibility he ends up on a NBA roster.
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