The Outlet: Dissecting the 2017 Class
The Outlet is a weekly column centered around five topics with five opinions on Oklahoma talent from a scouts prospective. Which player will have a breakout senior year? Julian Smith from Sapulpa is a star and he will get a lot…
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Continue ReadingThe Outlet is a weekly column centered around five topics with five opinions on Oklahoma talent from a scouts prospective.
Which player will have a breakout senior year?
Julian Smith from Sapulpa is a star and he will get a lot of attention which he should. However, Smith is not the only talented guard for the Chieftains. Keenan Balance is a 6’0 point guard who has a great feel for getting to the basket. He has great body control in transition rather he is using a euro step or creating contact with defenders. Balance has a great handle but he can also hit spot up 3’s from anywhere. The Sapulpa senior is a complete combo guard and he has the ability to play at the Division II level.
Which team has the best pair of 2017 big men in the state?
Tulsa Union. The Redskins have a long history of good big men which has allowed them to have so much success in the past decade. Ethan Chargois and Adrian Rodriguez is the most talented frontcourt duo in the state and possibly to ever put on a Union jersey. Chargois is a big time prospect who has a high skill level and sneaky athleticism. The SMU commit brings the finesse and elite skill but Rodriguez brings the motor and brute strength. Rodriguez is a UTSA commit who will try to dunk anything around the rim. This duo is the primary reason Union is a 6A title contender.
Which small-town player will put himself on the map?
Darius Riggs from Okay is a powerful guard and one of the best shooters in the state. The lefty is 6’1 and can fill it up from distance. Darius is currently ranked in the Top 60 in the state in 2017. If a Division II can swoop in and grab him and his talented brother Caleb then that would be a steal. Darius and Caleb have the skillset to help immediately offensively at the college level.
Which 2017 transfer will have the most impact on their team?
Marvin Johnson. Edmond North had one of the best seasons in school history last year. Johnson’s addition is not as much about effecting their record as it is about his impact against the upper echelon of 6A. Johnson is a 6’5 forward who brings so much versatility to the Huskies offensively but especially defensively. He gives Edmond North the ability to run with the horses of PCW, Union, PCN, and Norman North. Johnson brings an element that Edmond North has never had.
Which player’s recruitment are you most interested in?
Burke Putnam. Burke “Buckets” Putnam is one of the best scorers in the state. Every game or event he is apart of he has impressed. His recruitment is interesting because he has everything you want from a scoring guard. Putnam has the talent to play at the small D1 level and he could be a stud at the Division II level. It will be fascinating to see what type of opportunities will be available for Putman in April.