Friday, July 23, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Top recruit: NBA can wait

High school star Oden plans to go to college

By STEVE CARP
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Greg Oden 7-footer, playing in the Big Time Tournament, is considered top recruit in country

He doesn't consider himself a trend-setter, but Greg Oden could become one if he sticks to his plan.

In an age when many great high school basketball players forgo college and try to cash in on a big NBA paycheck, Oden, considered the No. 1 recruit in the country, is looking to go to school first.

If he doesn't cave in to the money, perhaps Oden could be the one others follow by deciding that at least a couple years of college wouldn't be so bad.

"I want to get an education," the 7-foot junior-to-be from Indianapolis said Thursday after scoring 15 points to help Spiece Indy Heat beat West Valley (Calif.) Basketball 69-30 in the 10th annual Big Time Tournament. "I want to experience the college atmosphere. I want to play on ESPN."

That prospect likely pleased Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Rick Pitino, Mike Davis and dozens of other college coaches in town this week to recruit.

Oden can dominate a game with his size, he's exceptionally gifted and works hard. But he admits he has flaws, and he hopes playing against elite competition this week will help eliminate those shortcomings.

"I don't have a lot of (offensive) moves," he said. "I need to develop some more moves."

Oden has had a busy summer, playing at several elite camps. He said the experience has been good and that he has held up physically.

"Last year in Vegas, I was hurting," he said. "I got tendinitis in my knee, and I couldn't play the way I wanted."

Heat coach Mike Conley said he is trying not to overuse his star. Oden played only half the game Thursday, as the Heat led by 20 or more points most of the way.

"I'm trying to be careful with Greg," said Conley, the former Olympic triple jump champion whose son Michael is the Heat's point guard. "It's been a long summer, and these kids have been playing a lot of basketball."

Conley said he welcomes Oden's decision to go to college.

"For a 16-year-old kid, money is the last thing that he should be thinking about," he said. "But this is a grounded kid. He's not letting all the hype change him. It's a credit to his mom (Zoe)."

Oden, soft-spoken and polite, said he wants to enjoy his junior season at Lawrence High School, then focus on the recruiting chase.

"There's no rush," he said. "After the season, I'll sit down with my family, and we'll look at it."

A more immediate concern is trying to win the Big Time. Recalling last year's champion, the Atlanta Celtics, Oden said winning this event would cap a very successful summer.

"That was a great team," he said of the Celtics. "We've got a good team. We're as good, as hard as we work."

Oden says he hasn't let the publicity get to his head.

"I really don't think about it," he said. "I just try and be around good people and stay humble."