THE STORY
In the 2007 NBA Draft held on June 28, 2007, the Portland Trail Blazers selected center Greg Oden from Ohio State University with the first overall pick. Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee during the preseason, causing him to miss the entire 2007–08 NBA season. This decision has been widely debated due to Oden's injury history and the subsequent success of other players from the draft class.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
NBA teams and players
WHY IT MATTERS
The Blazers' choice of Oden over Kevin Durant, who was selected second overall and went on to achieve significant success, remains a pivotal moment in NBA draft history, often cited in discussions about draft decisions and their long-term impacts.