The Blazers drafted Greg Oden more than fourteen months ago, but he's technically still a rookie since he didn't play a single game last season, according to Associated Press.

He's eligible to win the Rookie of the Year award this year, and that's one of his goals.

"I hope so," Oden said. "I'm working for it."

Oden joined a number of first-year players in the league's rookie transition program this week.

Players are given three years to complete the program for a variety of reasons. Oden couldn't attend last year because it started a few days after he had microfracture surgery on his right knee.