Filed Under » Greg Oden

Greg Oden’s NBA career is over. After the star-crossed Portland Trail Blazers big man had yet another knee operation this week that resulted in unexpected microfracture surgery, the 2007 No. 1 overall pick instructed doctors to cut his legs clean off below the hip this morning.

“I’m happier than I have been in years now that I made this decision to move on from traditional basketball and focus on a career in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association,” said Oden before boing under the knife. “I am excited for a fresh start as an athlete.”

Oden says he made the decision because he was tired of sitting on the sidelines during his athletic prime.

“I’m 24 years-old now. I’ve barely played in a game since I was 21,” he said. “And there is no end in sight to the surgeries. But on the wheelchair court I can immediately utilize my strength, arm length and shooting touch. It was an easy decision for me.”

While Oden went into surgery in a positive mood, doctors dread telling him what they found during the dual amputation.