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Who Was the 2007 NBA Draft 1st Pick and Where Are They Now?
You know, every time I look back at NBA draft history, certain years just stand out more than others. The 2007 draft class has always fascinated me - not just because of the incredible talent that emerged, but because of how dramatically different some careers turned out compared to expectations. As someone who's followed basketball for over two decades, I've developed this habit of tracking how top picks evolve, and 2007 provides one of the most compelling case studies.
So who exactly was the 2007 NBA draft 1st pick and where are they now?
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden with that coveted first overall pick, choosing him over Kevin Durant in what remains one of the most debated decisions in draft history. Where is he now? Well, that's where the story gets really interesting. After his NBA career ended in 2013, Oden completed his degree at Ohio State and has been working in basketball operations and coaching. He's currently serving as a graduate assistant for the Buckeyes - quite the journey from being the most hyped prospect since LeBron.
What made Greg Oden such a highly-touted prospect anyway?
I remember watching his college highlights and thinking he was literally built differently. At 7 feet tall with a 7'4" wingspan and incredible athleticism, he dominated college basketball despite playing with one good hand for most of the season. He averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks in his lone season at Ohio State. Teams were convinced they were getting the next great big man - a franchise center who could anchor their defense for a decade. The physical tools were just undeniable.
Why did his NBA career never reach its potential?
This is the heartbreaking part of the story. Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee before even playing his first NBA game. Over his NBA career, he played just 105 games across multiple seasons. The injuries just kept coming - fractured kneecaps, additional microfracture procedures. I've spoken with sports medicine specialists who believe his body simply couldn't handle the stress of his frame and playing style. It's one of those "what could have been" stories that still makes me shake my head.
How does team chemistry factor into situations like Portland's with Oden?
This brings me to something really important that many fans overlook. Remember that quote from Coach Tiongco that really stuck with me: "Lapses lang naman lagi 'yung sa duluhan. So hopefully, 'yung mga rookies ko, mag-mature sila, makuha nila 'yung mga roles sa team namin. Kasi we are good naman as a team. Nabuo kami almost one week na lang ng league. Biglang nagdatingan 'yung mga trades. So 'yung chemistry, wala pa."
That insight applies perfectly to Portland's situation back then. They were trying to build around multiple young pieces - Oden, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge - but injuries and roster instability prevented them from developing the chemistry needed to compete at the highest level. When you're bringing in a franchise-changing talent like the 2007 NBA draft 1st pick, you need stability around him to maximize development. Portland never really had that continuity.
What lessons can current teams learn from the Oden experience?
First, medical evaluations need to be thorough - but even then, there are no guarantees. Second, team building requires patience and stability. Going back to Tiongco's point about rookies maturing into their roles - that process takes time and consistent coaching. Portland went through multiple coaching changes during Oden's tenure, which certainly didn't help his development or the team's chemistry.
I've always believed that organizations need to have clearer development pathways for their top picks. Throwing them into unstable situations with constantly changing roles rarely works out well. The most successful teams in recent years - Golden State, San Antonio, Miami - have maintained coaching and system stability that allows young players to grow properly.
How does Oden's story compare to other top picks who struggled?
What makes Oden's case particularly tragic is that his struggles were almost entirely health-related rather than skill or attitude problems. When he did play, he showed flashes of being exactly what scouts projected - in his second season, he averaged 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in just 23.9 minutes per game. The production per minute was absolutely there.
Compare that to someone like Anthony Bennett (2013's first pick) who struggled with conditioning and skill development, or Markelle Fultz (2017) who dealt with a mysterious shooting breakdown. Each case is unique, but Oden's was primarily about physical breakdown rather than basketball ability disappearing.
Where would Oden go in a re-draft of 2007?
This is my favorite thought experiment. Knowing what we know now, Kevin Durant obviously goes first - he's an MVP and future Hall of Famer. But here's where it gets tricky: in a 2007 re-draft, I'd probably still have Oden going in the late lottery. Teams would take a chance on that upside, especially with modern sports science and load management. Players like Al Horford, Mike Conley, Joakim Noah, and Marc Gasol would all move up, but someone would still gamble on Oden's potential.
What's the lasting legacy of the 2007 NBA draft 1st pick selection?
Greg Oden's story serves as a permanent reminder that drafting is an imperfect science filled with uncertainty. It teaches us about the fragility of athletic careers and the importance of having contingency plans. Most importantly, it shows that a player's legacy isn't just about statistics or championships - it's also about resilience. The fact that Oden has remained in basketball, contributing to the game he loves despite his professional disappointments, says everything about his character.
Looking back, while we never got to see the dominant force many predicted when asking "who was the 2007 NBA draft 1st pick and where are they now," we got something equally valuable - a lesson in perseverance and the understanding that an athlete's worth extends far beyond their physical abilities. And honestly, that might be the most important draft lesson of all.