Greg Oden, the once-great Ohio State University basketball star who became the #1 overall pick in the NBA draft in 2007, allegedly punched his girlfriend in the early morning hours in Lawrence, Indiana. When police arrived on the scene the woman was lying on a bed covering her damaged face, according to the Indianapolis Star. A woman described as the victim’s best friend told police “he punched her in the face.”
Oden was “calm, apologetic, and cooperative” according to the report. Those three words would aptly describe how Oden has been throughout his frustrating NBA career. He has faced the continual injuries and disappointments calmly. He’s been apologetic to fans who had expected so much of him. And he’s been cooperative enough throughout to keep landing spots on good rosters, even though the hope he might contribute significantly continues to dwindle. (Oden was on the Miami Heat team that went to the finals last June, but never got in the game.) Now it seems that attitude has come with a price. Oden allegedly told police at the scene: “I was wrong, and I know what has to happen.” He was arrested on battery charges. Police found blood on the scene.
