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RFinnan@News-Herald.com
LAS VEGAS - Ohio State University freshman-to-be Greg Oden's wrist surgery has been well-documented.
The 7-foot, 260-pounder, who had surgery on June 16 to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, said he won't return to the court until "probably January some time."
That could take him to the Big Ten schedule.
Oden, 18, was a four-year standout at Indianapolis Lawrence North High School and was one of the top recruits in the country.
He said he'll be "definitely ready" for collegiate competition when his wrist heals.
"It's hurting me," he said. "But when I come back, it will be hurting someone else."
Oden was a two-time Gatorade national high school player of the year - a feat only previously accomplished by LeBron James. Oden was the No. 1 college recruit in the country as a senior and the key member of Ohio State's vaunted incoming freshman recruiting class tabbed the "Thad Five" in honor of Coach Thad Matta, and a reference to Michigan's Fab Five in the early 1990s.
Joining Oden as part of the Buckeyes' highly touted incoming freshman class are the big man's Lawrence North teammate, Mike Conley, Dayton Dunbar guard Daequan Cook, and two-time News-Herald Player of the Year, Villa Angela-St. Joseph guard David Lighty.
Junior-college transfer Othello Hunter rounds out the Buckeyes' recruiting class.
The wrist injury will prevent Oden from playing for the U.S. men's basketball team this summer.
