NBA's Greg Oden allegedly punched ex-girlfriend in the face

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former No. 1 NBA draft pick Greg Oden has been arrested in Indianapolis on battery charges alleging that he punched his ex-girlfriend in the face.

Police in the suburban community of Lawrence, Ind., say the 26-year-old was arrested early Thursday on two preliminary counts of misdemeanor battery and remains jailed.

A police report says officers called to a home around 3:30 a.m. found a woman on a sofa with a bloody face. Oden allegedly told officers "things got out of control" during an argument with his ex-girlfriend and he punched her in the face as others tried to hold him back. He said they had dated for two years but recently broke up.

CBS affiliate WISH reports police spoke with the female victim, who told officers that she fell but was uncooperative and unable to provide further details about the incident.

Oden told authorities that a relative and another witness tried to hold him back during the argument, "but... I swung my arms to move them out of the way, then punched [the woman] in the face."

He reportedly went on to say, "I was wrong and I know what has to happen."

Police said Oden was cooperative at the scene.

The 7-foot Oden was a star at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis and played a season at Ohio State before the Portland Trail Blazers made him the NBA's top 2007 draft pick. Frequently sidelined by injury, he played part-time for the Miami Heat last season.