Trail Blazers rookie Greg Oden discussed the importance that youth mentorship has played in his life in an introductory speech for First Lady Laura Bush at a Regional Conference in support of the “Helping America’s Youth” initiative on Thursday morning at the Performing Arts Center in Portland.

Oden’s brief remarks – part of an all-day program – singled out his mentors: his mother, agent Mike Conley, Sr., and Terre Haute, Ind., Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Jimmy Smith, whose late son Travis was Oden’s best friend.

You can watch video of Oden's speech here.

For more information on the “Helping America’s Youth” conference, visit www.trailblazers.com or http://www.helpingamericasyouth.gov/.