Known as a pre-med with a strong outside jump shot, "Doc" O'Dea was a three year reserve for Georgetown teams from 1959 through 1962. His best season was in 1961-62, shooting 41 percent from the field and averaging 3.1 points per game in 14 games.

Following military service and medical school at the New Jersey College of Medicine, O'Dea became a surgeon in the Philadelphia area, serving as Chief of General Surgery for many years at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center.