Greg Oden is returning to the basketball court.
The 30-year-old former No. 1 pick will play for team Scarlet and Gray in “The Basketball Tournament” on Friday, according to a report from ESPN. The winner of the single-elimination tournament splits a $2 million prize.
Oden is expected to come off the bench when The Scarlet and Gray, which is made up of former Ohio State players, faces the Primetime Players, ESPN’s report says. Oden was a star for the Buckeyes in 2006-07, leading the team to the national championship game.
Former Ohio State stars Aaron Craft, Jon Diebler and David Lighty are currently on The Scarlet and Gray’s roster.
"For me, I see these guys every day in the gym when they're not around the world,” Oden told ESPN about playing with The Scarlet and Gray. “To get out there and play a couple of minutes with them, I just think it'll be fun."
The Trail Blazers selected Oden with the top pick in the 2007 draft, but his career was derailed by injuries. He averaged eight points and 6.2 rebounds in 105 games from 2008-14.
Oden last played in the NBA in 2013-14, when he appeared in 23 games for the Heat.
"Just know that I'm going out there for fun,” Oden told ESPN. “If I need to describe how I feel, I probably shouldn't be going out there. I'm going out there to play with these guys and hopefully get a chance to win a couple million dollars and for us to split it."
