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Former No. 1 NBA draft pick Greg Oden has pled guilty to domestic abuse after he allegedly hit his ex-girlfriend in the face during an altercation last year. The former Ohio State college star -- one of the most famous draft busts in NBA history -- was charged with four counts of felony battery and misdemeanor battery, but entered a plea deal with Indianapolis police. It means the former Portland Trail Blazer and Miami Heat NBA player will not receive any jail time after pleading guilty to Battery with Moderate Bodily Injury in December. The attack left his ex bloodied, swollen and with lacerations to her face.
Former NBA player Greg Oden reaches plea deal on battery charge. https://t.co/Or6AdvMPYT pic.twitter.com/W1qoMLHU5B
— IndyStar (@indystar) February 4, 2015
After the incident involving his 24 year old ex-girlfriend at his mother's house in Lawrence, Indiana, Oden was charged with two felony battery counts and two misdemeanor battery counts. When Oden pled guilty to Battery with Moderate Bodily Injury in December, the other three charges were dropped.
According to The Indianapolis Star, court documents state that Oden "was fined $200 and ordered to complete 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling, alcoholics anonymous classes and 909 days of probation." They add that there is a no contact order between Oden and his ex.
As Mstars News reported, when police arrived to the scene, they found Oden's ex-girlfriend crying and holding her face. Another woman claiming to be the victims best friend told police "He punched her in the face. "
Police reportedly arrived at 3.30 a.m. to find the victim covered blood, with swelling to the nose, as well as lacerations to the forehead and nose.
Former local basketball star and NBA player Greg Oden makes plea deal this week https://t.co/EqizY4FG6A pic.twitter.com/n4U6c5roLl
— RTV6 Indianapolis (@rtv6) February 4, 2015
At the time TMZ reported Oden admitting "Things got out of control and I started to go after the victim. My relative and witness tried to hold me back, but as I swung my arms to move them out of the way, then punched the victim in the face. I was wrong and I know what has to happen."
Oden was taken as No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers - ahead of reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant - after going to the NCAA Championship game with Ohio State. He was projected as a historically great NBA big man but knee injuries, however, conspired to keep Oden to only 82 games in his five seasons with the Trail Blazers. He eventually returned to the NBA and played 23 games with the Miami Heat last year.
