Looking Back at the 2007 NBA Draft: Where Are They Now?

Looking back at the 2007 NBA Draft feels like flipping through a high school yearbook—some faces you remember vividly, others you struggle to place, and a few whose journeys genuinely surprise you. I’ve spent years analyzing drafts, both as a basketball enthusiast and someone who appreciates how careers unfold in professional sports. That draft class, headlined by Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, was supposed to shape the next decade of the NBA. Yet, as I reflect today, it’s striking how many of those players have drifted into obscurity while a handful have carved out legacies that still resonate. It’s a bit like watching Alex Eala, the young tennis prodigy, navigate her early Grand Slam appearances—full of promise, but with no guarantees. Just last week, I was reading about Eala and her partner Renata Zarazua battling for a spot in the Round of 16 at the 2025 French Open, and it struck me how similar their journey is to these athletes: a mix of raw talent, opportunity, and the relentless pressure to deliver.

The first pick, Greg Oden, was hailed as a once-in-a-generation center, drawing comparisons to Bill Russell. I remember watching his college highlights and thinking he’d dominate the league for years. Instead, injuries derailed his career almost immediately. By 2016, he was out of the NBA, having played just 105 games over scattered seasons. It’s a sobering reminder of how fragile athletic careers can be—something that resonates when I see young talents like Eala and Zarazua facing seasoned opponents like Olga Danilovic and Anastasia Potapova. In tennis, as in basketball, a single moment—a twisted ankle or a missed shot—can alter everything. Oden’s story isn’t just about what went wrong; it’s a lesson in how potential alone doesn’t guarantee longevity. These days, he’s involved in coaching and occasionally pops up in basketball camps, but I can’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment whenever his name comes up. He had the tools to be legendary, yet fate had other plans.

Then there’s Kevin Durant, the second pick, who arguably became the face of this draft class. I’ve followed his career closely, and it’s been incredible to watch him evolve from a lanky scorer into a two-time NBA Finals MVP. With over 27,000 points scored as of last season, he’s cemented his place among the all-time greats. What stands out to me, though, is his resilience—something I see parallels of in athletes across sports, like Eala’s determination to break through in the women’s doubles circuit. Durant’s ability to adapt, whether by refining his three-point shot or leading teams deep into the playoffs, shows why some players thrive while others fade. Personally, I’ve always admired his work ethic, even if his move to the Warriors back in 2016 sparked debate. In my view, it was a strategic masterstroke, though I know not everyone agrees. His journey underscores that success isn’t just about talent; it’s about seizing opportunities and evolving when the game demands it.

Beyond the top picks, this draft was packed with players who had varied trajectories. Al Horford, picked third, has defied age, contributing meaningfully into his late 30s—a feat I find inspiring as someone who values longevity in sports. On the other hand, players like Yi Jianlian, the sixth pick, never quite adapted to the NBA’s pace, despite showing flashes of brilliance. I recall watching Yi in his prime and thinking he had the skills, but the mental and physical grind seemed to wear him down. It’s a theme that echoes in tennis, too; for every Eala who breaks through, there are countless others who struggle to maintain consistency. Speaking of which, the 2007 draft also produced role players like Joakim Noah and Marc Gasol, who carved out Hall of Fame-worthy careers through sheer grit. Noah’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2014 stands as a testament to his impact, and as a fan of defensive hustle, I’ve always held him in high regard.

As I wrap up this reflection, it’s clear that the 2007 NBA Draft serves as a microcosm of professional sports—a blend of triumph, heartbreak, and unpredictability. Just like Alex Eala and her partner face an uphill battle against Danilovic and Potapova at the French Open, these athletes navigated their own set of challenges. Some, like Durant, soared to heights we expected, while others, like Oden, remind us that potential is a fragile thing. From my perspective, what makes this draft class so compelling isn’t just the star power, but the stories of resilience and reinvention. It’s why I keep coming back to sports analysis—not just for the stats, but for the human drama behind them. Whether in basketball or tennis, the journey is what captivates us, and as I look ahead, I’m eager to see how the next generation, including talents like Eala, will write their own chapters.