USA - Oden enjoys taste of big time

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LAS VEGAS (FIBA World Championship) - Greg Oden has been getting a glimpse of his future this week.

The two-time consensus USA Today high school basketball player of the year has been in Las Vegas at the Team USA training camp ahead of the FIBA World Championship.

Although not part of the 23-man preliminary roster for the tournament, Oden was invited to join up with the group by USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo.

He initially turned down the invite - not out of arrogance - but humility.

"I honestly felt that I wasn't there yet," the 18-year-old Ohio State freshman said. "I have got to be there mentally and physically, and I'm not there yet."

But Colangelo twisted his arm.

"We wanted him to be exposed and indoctrinated into what we were doing, because if everything goes well he can be a candidate in '08 (for the Beijing Olympics)," Colangelo said. "If not then, then maybe the next cycle."

Oden is now heading to summer school at Ohio State, but has been inspired by a week spent rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

"It's been a great learning experience," Oden said. "I've never been around guys like this before in a basketball environment. I'm loving it. I'm learning so much.

Just having this opportunity is wonderful."

It could have been even better but for a hand injury which prevented Oden from taking part in practices.

"I was hoping he'd be able to practice, obviously," Colangelo said. "It's unfortunate, because if he had a chance to practice with these guys, it would have been great for him."

He should get plenty of opportunities in the future. The 7ft, 250lb Oden is seen as the best prospect in US basketball. Last year he averaged 22.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots to lead Indianapolis Lawrence North to a number one national ranking in USA Today.

NBA scouts were unanimous in concluding he would have been the number one pick had he been allowed to enter the NBA draft straight out of high school, but a change in the league's rules means that - unlike LeBron James three years ago - he must now spend at least one year in college.

That's not a problem for Oden.

"I felt I wasn't ready for the NBA yet," Oden said. "I felt I would have gone on to college anyway, even if they didn't change the rule."

This week, some of the NBA stars on hand have told him he can be patient.

"The other day on the bus, LeBron said something to him about, 'I know you're mad they put that rule in effect,'" Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said.

"But I told him: 'Look, this NBA ain't going anywhere. You've got time.

"Go there for however many years you're going to. This NBA will be here for you.'"

Oden, who had a strong academic record at high school, has even hinted he may stay the course at Ohio State before turning pro.

But wherever he is playing his regular basketball in two years' time, he is hoping to be on the plane to China.

"After being out here, yes, that is a goal now," he said. "I hope my game will be at that level by then. I'm going to work at it and I'm going to do my best to get it there."

PA Sport