Greg Oden, a former number-one NBA draft pick, was arrested early this morning in Lawrence, Indiana and charged with battery against a member of the opposite sex.
Police were called to the residence of Oden’s mother around 3:30 a.m. and arrived “to find the victim crying and lying across a bed holding her face.”
According to Bill McCleery and Matthew Glenesk of The Indianapolis Star, a witness told authorities that the basketball player “punched [the victim] in the face.”
Moreover, law enforcement officials observed blood, nose swelling and forehead lacerations on the woman in question. They also noted blood on the sofa, carpet and floor.
Officers at the scene say Oden was “calm, apologetic and cooperative” when they asked for his account of events.
He said things between himself and the woman (believed to be an ex-girlfriend) “got out of control,” that his mother and the victim’s best friend tried to hold him back and that he swung his arms to break free.
“I was wrong and I know what has to happen,” Oden told the police.
Oden was selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2007 draft, following a stellar freshman year at Ohio State.
But knee injuries derailed his career. His attempted a comeback with the Miami Heat last season, but only played a combined total of 219 minutes in the regular season and playoffs.
