Conley looks back on career of former college teammate Oden

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley reflected on the career of his high school and Ohio State teammate Greg Oden, in light of Oden's recent disclosure that his playing days are over.

“It definitely wasn’t planned this way,” Conley told The Vertical's Chris Mannix. “Everyone will tell you, he is the guy who should be on the All-NBA teams, the All-Star appearances. I think he would have gone down as one of the best bigs of all time if he stayed healthy. It’s weird how things shaped out.”

Conley has enjoyed a career that put him third on the Grizzlies' career scoring list one year ago today, and re-signed with Memphis for $153 million over five years in July – the richest in the history of the NBA.

Oden, 28, was drafted first overall in 2007 ahead of Kevin Durant. Knee injuries cost him the better part of two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, and he played for a short time in 2013-14 with the Miami Heat. After being released from his team in China, he's spending time at Ohio State, working with his former team as a student assistant.

“He understood his body and he understands his situation,” Conley said. “I think having a child opened his eyes. It made him understand that his main thing was his family. I don’t think he wants to risk not being able to be with his children, get down on his knees to play with them, walk around and run with them. It was the right time for all this to happen. I told him, ‘Do what you believe is best.’ I’m with him regardless.”