The former LNHSwildcats high school standout 'was waiting, sweating, not knowing what was going to happen.' Until the second call from ButlerMBB head coach Thad Matta came. lnwildcats Daddyluv2250 ButlerWay
Greg Oden was hired at Butler to work with his former Ohio State coach, Thad Matta.INDIANAPOLIS -- Greg Oden is a looming figure walking the halls of Hinkle Fieldhouse. A 7-foot giant who, even in an NCAA basketball arena, seems a tad out of place.
Matta didn't tell Oden much on that first call, except:"I'm going to get settled and call you in a few days." It was a whirlwind, a wonderful whirlwind. As Oden headed west from Columbus on that nearly 3-hour drive to Indianapolis, he thought about everything he had been through. He thought about what he was embarking on. And he was grateful., as the director of basketball operations. It was a no-brainer for Matta.
As Oden played at Lawrence North, Matta came calling."Ohio State would be a great fit for you," Matta told Oden, who went on to lead his team to three state championships, become a national player of the year and IndyStar's Mr. Basketball. At the end of the season, Matta declared that Oden"was going to be one of the greatest to ever play in the NBA."
"You just keep on numbing yourself with alcohol," Oden told IndyStar in 2019, "trying not to think about it." Indy is home to Oden, where his launch to greatness began and where he hopes to bring greatness at Butler. Butler plays its first game against New Orleans on Monday night. The program is coming off two losing seasons under former coach LaVall Jordan, 14-19 in 2021-22 and 10-15 for the 2020-21 season.
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