Fansided

Whatever happened to these 30 college basketball stars who flamed out in the NBA?

By Mike Phillips

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (R) of the Kentucky Wildcats greets NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after he was selected number two overall by the Charlotte Bobcats during the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (R) of the Kentucky Wildcats greets NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after he was selected number two overall by the Charlotte Bobcats during the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO – MARCH 09: Greg Oden #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gestures towards a teammate against the Michigan Wolverines during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament March 9, 2007, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Ohio St.on 72-62. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO – MARCH 09: Greg Oden #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gestures towards a teammate against the Michigan Wolverines during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament March 9, 2007, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Ohio St.on 72-62. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Greg Oden

A dominant big man in college basketball usually has a fast track to being selected high in the NBA Draft. That was certainly the case with Greg Oden, who was a dominant force in his lone year at Ohio State.

Oden teamed up with Mike Conley to help the Buckeyes reach the National Championship Game in 2007 where they lost to the Florida Gators. After putting up spectacular numbers on both ends of the floor for Ohio State, Oden declared for the draft and was taken first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.

The story turned sour for Oden due to injuries, beginning with a microfracture surgery in his right knee that ended his rookie season before he could even play a game. Oden had several more knee injuries that destroyed his athletic ability, forcing him out of the NBA after a combined 105 games over seven years.

What makes matters worse for Portland is that they passed on Kevin Durant to take Oden with the top pick. No one could have predicted the bad injury luck that Oden would have, making this a very unfortunate situation for all parties involved.