06-26-2006, 07:06 AM
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TheHerald-Press
6/26/06
Quote:
Indiana Mr. Basketball Greg Oden (right) poses for a picture with ballboy Alex Easley at an autograph session during Thursday's exhibition game between the Indiana All-Stars and junior stars at North Arena. / Photo by Andrew Hancock
Oden anxious to play again
By PAUL SIEGFRIED Sports Editor
Greg Oden doesn't mind answering the question for what must be the millionth time.
"How's the wrist?" he's asked, as the 7-foot All-American with the cast covering his right arm tries to sign autographs with his left.
Oden, Indiana Mr. Basketball and two-time national high school player of the year, injured his wrist late in the season as Lawrence North powered to its third straight Class 4A state championship. Although he played in the McDonald's All-America game, the injury ultimately required surgery, which he had last Friday, keeping him out of the All-Star games, including Thursday’s exhibition contest against the Indiana junior team at North Arena.
"It's all right. It's a little sore," said Oden, looking down at his entire right forearm in a cast supported by a sling. "I'm very disappointed not to be playing. This is a big thing. I'd like to be playing with this group of guys, because they're great guys. I'm just happy to be here to watch."
Oden joined his teammates at a game for the first time Thursday in the month-long All-Star event, which included two previous exhibitions and last Saturday’s opening game against the Kentucky All-Stars in Bowling Green, Ky.
The right-handed signed a few autographs with his left hand. The young fans did not seem to mind whether the signature was legible or not, and Oden felt he should at least try to give the signing a go.
"You just have to be a nice person. It's never bad to sign autographs or talk to kids. Kids are cool," he said.
Even though he's not playing in the Indiana All-Star series, Oden is a larger-than-life presence. The arena began to buzz when he arrived in the gym, and immediately had children milling about him like butterflies flitting around a mighty oak tree.
But Oden has long gotten used to being the center of attention.
"I get more comfortable with it. I kind of enjoy it. It comes with the territory," he said. "You just have to be yourself."
Oden and Lawrence North and All-Star teammate Mike Conley are both headed to Ohio State and both are in summer school classes. But Oden said his injury will delay his debut for coach Thad Matta's Buckeyes.
"It'll be a while. It's going to go into the season," he said.
Oden also knows NBA riches are waiting for him down the road. Had NCAA rules not changed and Oden had been allowed to enter the NBA Draft, he likely would have been the league's top pick.
But right now, his injury has forced him to be more introspective.
"I've just got to handle this first," he said. "I'm looking to the long future, so I've got to handle this right now. When I can play, I'll play and hope for the best, but I've got to look for the long run."
He said he enjoys being a college student and the time when he can get back on the court.
"I'm looking forward to being with the guys 100 percent," he said. "I'm with them, but I can't work out with them, I can't play open gym with them. I'm on the sidelines. I've been going to school and I've enjoyed it so far, but when we walk to class I walk ahead of them because they can't walk as fast because they just did a workout and their all tired."
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