Greg Oden Interview

College Hoops 2K8 cover athlete Greg Oden may be laid up following microfracture surgery that's left him out for a year, but that doesn't mean he can't game. We spoke with Oden on Tuesday and talked about what he's playing, whether he's been hazed, how his dog is doing, and what's on his IPod.

Q: How's the knee coming along?

Oden: It's doing fine. I'm doing a lot of rehab; in fact, I'm leaving rehab right now. I'm walking good, and the leg's getting stronger.

Q: Where are you currently on your rehab schedule? Do you know if you're ahead or behind?

Oden: Nah, I'm not really sure, they don't tell me that. I'm still in the second phase of rehab. I'll be off crutches two weeks this Thursday, and I'm just getting used to walking again. I still haven't had my second MRI.

Q: We read that you've been lifting a lot recently and looking pretty jacked.

Oden: Yeah, well, I've been lifting a lot. I was lifting every other day to get big and sexy. The coaches have been impressed, and I can't run yet and won't be able to for a while, but they don't want me doing too much lifting because I won't be able to run if I get too big.

Q: Have your teammates made you buy them dinner yet?

Oden: No, I haven't had to buy dinner yet. I've been lucky, I have some nice teammates. No rookie hazing yet.

Q: No hazing? You haven't had to sing your fight song?

Oden: Well, I haven't, but the rookies at the beginning of the preseason had to go on stage and do the Soulja Boy.

Q: Wow. That's rough. Do you even know the Ohio State fight song?

Oden: Honestly? Last year, at this time, I knew the Ohio State fight song. Now…I don't know it.

A: What do you think is the biggest misconception most people have about professional athletes and their lives?

Oden: Hmmm. I would say that some people…think most of us are really arrogant, and that's not the case. Some guys are, but, well, they have to be -- they thrive on that, and if they weren't, they wouldn't be able to even go out or go to the movies.

 

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