Big O seeking return to NBA:

By Gary Bedore, KUSports.com, Saturday, June 13, 2009

Former KU center Greg Ostertag told the Journal-World last summer that he wanted to resurrect his NBA career. He repeated that sentiment to the Arizona Republic this week.

“I know I can still play,” said the 36-year-old Ostertag, who lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., with wife Heidi and their three children — Cody (15), Bailey (12) and Shelby (9).

“It’s just a matter of getting back into shape. I can still play. I can put in 10 or 15 minutes a game, get some rebounds and block some shots.

“Young teams aren’t going to pick me up,” Ostertag told the paper. “A veteran team looking for somebody to give them 10-15 minutes, go in there and bang with other guys, that would be the team.”

Ostertag played in the NBA 11 seasons, 10 with the Utah Jazz. He retired three years ago.

The Republic reports the 7-foot-2 Ostertag plays hockey on Wednesday nights in a no-checking league. Another hobby, believe it or not, is baking cakes for all occasions.

“I’ve made some for my kids for their birthdays. I made a couple for my mom for her birthdays,” Ostertag told the Republic, noting he doesn’t sell the cakes, just bakes them for his family.