Can you believe it’s already been 14 years since Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. led the Ohio State basketball team to the national title game as college freshmen? Oden of course was the biggest name in college basketball and eventual No. 1 NBA draft pick in 2007, but his career stalled after multiple injuries.
Conley on the other hand was the No. 4 pick of the Memphis Grizzlies in that draft and has gone on to have a very solid NBA career over the last 14 seasons. It is a career that has seen him average 15.9 points per game with another 5.6 assists per game.
After 14 years in the league, Mike Conley Jr. is making his first NBA All-Star appearance. It has been reported that Conley will replace Devin Booker who is dealing with an ankle injury pending medical clearance.
It’s been a long time coming…@MCONLEY10 is officially an NBA All-Star. 🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/N137jbKFGi
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) March 6, 2021
Through 29 games this year, the Utah Jazz guard is averaging 16.1 points per game, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals and it’s a well-deserved honor and one that has probably come later than it should have.
Former Ohio State teammate, Mark Titus, probably said it best in a Twitter post.
“NBA All-Star Mike Conley hasn’t been the “best” player on any team he’s been on since at least 7th grade, and he’s never fully gotten his due because of it. Yet he’s the almost always his team’s MVP. Best teammate I’ve ever had and unbelievable human being. Could’t be happier for him.” Titus wrote.
We agree and feel the same. We couldn’t be happier for the former Buckeye point guard who gave us so many memories in a magical 2006-2007 run. Congratulations Mike Conley Jr. – NBA All-Star.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.
