INDIANAPOLIS — Former No. 1 NBA draft pick Greg Oden has been arrested in Indianapolis on battery charges alleging that he punched a woman in the face.
Police in the suburban community of Lawrence say the 26-year-old was arrested early Thursday on two preliminary counts of misdemeanor battery and remains jailed.
A police report says officers called to a home found a woman on a sofa with a bloody face. Oden allegedly told officers “things got out of control” during an argument with his ex-girlfriend and he punched her in the face as others tried to hold him back.
The 7-foot Oden was a star at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis and played a season at Ohio State before the Portland Trail Blazers made him the NBA’s top 2007 draft pick.
Knee injuries have derailed his career and he didn’t play from December 2009 until returning to the court this past season with the Miami Heat. He played in 23 games, averaging 2.9 points. He is now a free agent.