Greg Oden checks in

The NBA's super-sized rookie may be warming the bench, but it hasn't stopped him from being a "virtual" star.

By Rebecca Louie

Forget the dog bed. Charles Barkley McLovin, Oden's Boston terrier/beagle mix, insists on the lap of luxury.

So what if he's sitting out his first NBA season? Portland Trail Blazer Greg Oden, 19, still has got game. This year's No. 1 draft pick is currently healing from microfracture surgery to his right knee, but he holds virtual court as the cover boy of the new video game College Hoops 2K8 ($59.99). The 7-foot center interrupted his free time to talk with us about movies, muscles and man's best friend, his prized pup, Charles Barkley McLovin.

What's it like to be a video game cover boy?
It feels good! I recently went to a store, and I stood next to the video game display to see if anybody recognized me. I acted like I was reading a magazine but had a big old smile on my face, trying to hint, like, "You see me?" You don't want to flat-out say that because it would seem like I'm arrogant. But a few people came up to me and said, "Hey, that's you!" and I was like, "Oh, really?" Like I didn't know.

Do you play video games?
Every now and then, especially now that I got a lot of free time. I like racing games, action stuff [and music games like] "SingStar Pop" and "Guitar Hero." But in real life, I am horrible at instruments. I haven't played many -- just a few keys on a piano.

What are yourdays like?
I get up, eat a bowl of cereal, go to the practice facility and do my rehab. I lift, then I come home and put a movie in while I nap. I can't sleep without the TV on, and I have it loud. Then I wake up and watch more TV.

The rehab must be working. Congrats on ditching your crutches!
The leg, my calves and quads are getting stronger. It's feeling pretty good.

You got paid a reported $3.885 million for your rookie year. Does being injured affect your payout?
It better not. [Laughs.] I don't think it does.

Make any big purchasesto celebrate your salary?
I got my mom a car, and she just closed on a house. I bought my brother a truck, and I helped my dad with his house. The house I'm renting [just outside Portland] also costs a lot of money.

And then there's your new puppy.
He is so spoiled. His name is Charles Barkley McLovin. I am a big fan of Charles Barkley and the movie Superbad [which has a teenage nerd-stud character who goes by the alias McLovin]. I've seen it about five times. My dog is a Boston terrier/beagle mix, so he's not that big. He can fit on my lap. I sleep with him.

On your blog at yardbarker.com, one post you wrote about sitting on the sidelines was titled "The Depression."
I called it that ... because I was a little sad I couldn't play that first game. I just wanted to be out there. But I am learning a lot from being on the sidelines. I'm supposed to be scouting other teams, watching the other centers play. We had a close game with Philly, and my heart was beating fast, like I was actually playing. I get so into the game.

We also hear you've packed on some weight. About 20 pounds?
Before I got hurt, I was trying to get bigger. When I got here, I started eating healthy cereals and fruit, no fast food. I lift every other day. Since I'm not playing, a big concern is that I'm going to lose my quickness.

So it's all just big, manly muscle?
I like to say so when I talk to the ladies. Or look in the mirror.

Oden is College Hoops' cover athlete. As a freshman, he led Ohio State to the NCAA national title game.