For 31 years old, Greg Oden has sure been through a lot.
Some of it was self-inflicted, like a domestic battery charge in 2014, but much of it was not: the injuries, the rehab, the "bust" label, and the alcohol and deep depression that came with it.
Now, five years after he last stepped on the court in an NBA game, Oden returns to pro basketball Sunday with the BIG3 on the same court where he won back-to-back state championships. He joined the show on Friday to talk about returning to basketball, both on the bench (Ohio State) and court, playing for his daughter and family, and climbing out of a dark place.
Take a listen:
Oden interview rundown
1:20 On how his BIG3 deal came about
2:48 Weighing the injury risk of playing again
4:19 Friendship with and pride in Mike Conley Jr.
5:36 Is this a different Greg Oden?
6:29 Thad Matta's impact on his turnaround
8:47 If NBA should lift the age minimum
10:19 The book isn't closed