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It seems that if Coach Capel’s

Oklahoma Sooners have an uncanny way of attracting high quality talent year after year. After finishing the 2008-2009 basketball season with a loss to North Carolina in the NCAA South Regionals, they once again have added an outstanding group of players with their 2009 men’s NCAA basketball recruiting class. To many observers in the Big 12 conference, the Sooners have just reloaded their gun for a run at the 2009-2010 NCAA title.

Oklahoma Sooners have an uncanny way of attracting high quality talent year after year. After finishing the 2008-2009 basketball season with a loss to North Carolina in the NCAA South Regionals, they once again have added an outstanding group of players with their 2009 men’s NCAA basketball recruiting class. To many observers in the Big 12 conference, the Sooners have just reloaded their gun for a run at the 2009-2010 NCAA title.

 

 

2009 Oklahoma Sooners Recruits

 

#1 2009 Oklahoma Recruit – C – Keith Gallon

Ht: 6’9”

Wt: 300lbs

ESPN Ranking: #11

 

Gallon is a wide bodied center that already has a solid inside offensive game. He will also pose problems on the defensive end because he has shown a consistent ability to move outside and hit the jump shot, including those from 3pt range. Overlooked in his skill set is that Gallon is more than an adequate ball handler and passer. Although at times he has shown a tendency to drift to the perimeter, (yes, big men do like shooting those jump shots) this will undoubtedly change once exposed to Coach Capels system. Many feel that with overall strength improvement and keeping an eye on his weight, Gallon can eventually become a premier scorer on the inside.

 

#2 2009 Oklahoma Recruit – PG – Tommy Mason-Griffin

Ht: 5’10”

Wt: 190lbs

ESPN Ranking: #24

 

This young man is just what the doctor ordered for Coach Capels Sooners. He is a point guard that not only can run an offense but be a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. Mason–Griffin is strong, athletic and with good leaping ability. He is above average when driving the lane to either attack the basket or kick it out to the open man. His passing ability is outstanding with either hand and has shown the knack for delivering the ball right into the shooters pocket. Look for Mason-Griffin to become one of Coach Capels team leaders in the very near future.

 

#3 2009 Oklahoma Recruit – PF – Andrew Fitzgerald

Ht: 6’8”

Wt: 250lbs

ESPN Ranking: #68

 

Powerful, relentless, and passionate are just a few of the words the scouts used in describing this young man. What he lacks for in quickness and explosiveness he makes up for with his positioning and physical play. Fitzgerald has good fundamental inside offensive skills but would benefit from developing a better face up game. His rebounding on both ends of the floor is tireless. A true monster on the boards, Fitzgerald will be looked upon to contribute in the upcoming 2009-2010 Sooner season.

 

#4 2009 Oklahoma Recruit – SG – Steve Pledger   

Ht: 6’4”

Wt: 170lbs

ESPN Ranking: #84

 

Pledger is a good sized shooting guard that has the accuracy to extend the opposing team’s defense. He also has shown the strength and the willingness to post up against smaller wing players to use his height to his advantage. Although he doesn’t have the explosive quickness on defense, he knows how to play position and has shown an excellent basketball IQ. Pledger is also not afraid to launch the shots when the game is on the line. Some have said.. “a fearless competitor”.

 

#5 2009 Oklahoma Recruit – PF – Kyle Hardwick

Ht: 6’8”

Wt: 233lbs

ESPN Ranking: n/a

 

Hardwick is one of those players that seems to go unnoticed because he quietly contributes. He possesses a workman like attitude and is unaffected by the lack of scoring chances. Hardwick is a strong physical player that is a relentless rebounder on both ends of the floor. Hardwick is a player that will fit right in under Coach Capels system.

 

Refs: 

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/school?season=2009&schoolId=201&page=commits&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fschool%3fseason%3d2009%26schoolId%3d201%26page%3dcommits, http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/oae, http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=3725230