Portland Trailblazers center Greg Oden endured public embarrassment Tuesday when naked cell phone pictures of himself were leaked to the Internet.
In a series of three self-taken photos that were reportedly sent to popular hip-hop Web site, WorldStarHipHop.com, Oden is seen facing a mirror while snapping his full frontal reflection with a camera phone.
Following the circulation of the risqué photos, Oden held a news conference Tuesday night in which he admitted the authenticity of the photographs before expressing his humiliation.
“First, I’d like to apologize to everybody … Portland, the fans, the organization. It was very embarrassing,” Oden said to reporters. “It was something that happened over a year and a half ago.
It was a lady friend who I was having a relationship with, and it was just for her. It was definitely meant to keep private,” Oden explained. “I’m very sorry, and I’m definitely embarrassed for my family and everybody.”
Amidst the embarrassment, the 22-year-old athlete said he learned a valuable lesson from the scandal.
“I definitely learned a lot since it happened. I’ve definitely matured since then. You have to be careful with what you do, and who you trust,” Oden said.
Oden has been sidelined since early December after breaking his left kneecap during a game against the Houston Rockets. He is expected to sit out for the rest of the season.
