Greg Oden Allegedly Punched Ex-Girlfriend: NBA Star Arrested, Charged With Battery

NBA free agent and former first overall draft pick Greg Oden was arrested in Lawrence, Indiana on Thursday morning after allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend. Local authorities have charged the 26-year-old with battery.

Police officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a house purportedly belonging to Oden’s mother at around 3:30 a.m. on Thursday. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found an injured, crying woman and an eyewitness who said that she was the victim’s friend, Fox 59 in Indiana reports.

“[Oden] punched her in the face, my hand hurts and I just want to go home,” the witness said, according to a police report. The witness reportedly encouraged the victim to talk to police. “There’s isn’t that much love in the world. You need to tell that he punched you in the face,” she said, via the Indianapolis Star.

Law enforcement officials “observed blood, swelling to the nose, lacerations to the forehead and nose area of the victim's face," the report said. In addition, police “observed blood on the sofa and floor in the sitting area. (They) observed (blood) on the living room carpet (and) dirt from a flower pot that was knocked over."

The injured victim reportedly refused medical treatment and was described by the police as uncooperative. Meanwhile, Oden was “calm, apologetic and cooperative” and took “full responsibility” for the situation.

“Things got out of control and I started to go after the victim,” Oden told police, according to the report. “I was wrong and I know what has to happen.”

Oden and the victim broke up about two months ago after dating for two years. One of Oden’s relatives told police that the pair had frequently argued in the past. “Every time the two visit and go out, there is an argument to follow,” the relative said, according to the police report.

The Portland Trailblazers drafted Oden with the first pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, but a slew of injuries forced the seven-footer to miss three full seasons. He spent the 2013-14 NBA season with the Miami Heat, but appeared in just 23 regular season games.