2024 Rankings: Dual Sport Stars
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While the basketball culture is strong in Oklahoma, football is often still the king. A lot of talented basketball standouts tend to go the football route, because the same psychical gifts that make them the best in basketball can also…
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Continue ReadingWhile the basketball culture is strong in Oklahoma, football is often still the king. A lot of talented basketball standouts tend to go the football route, because the same psychical gifts that make them the best in basketball can also be applied to football. And due to more scholarship availability for college football programs, it’s easier to get recruited as college football coaches are more willing to take chances on developmental prospects.
With this being one of the last rankings of the Class of 2024, let’s take a look at some players who had outstanding high school basketball careers but their collegiate future likely will be on the gridiron.
Now at Del City, Fields has enjoyed one of the more successful high school careers of any guard in the Class of 2024. He’s one of the fastest players in the state, often looking like a blur with the ball in his hands. Fields was a key part of back to back Class 5A State Tournament teams at OKC Southeast. The electric guard uses the same game changing speed on the football field to be a dynamic DB and is currently committed to TCU in football.
The second part of the 2024 guard tandem that played a key role in OKC Southeast’s two runs to the 5A State Tournaments, Graham is now at Westmoore. While not as blazing fast as Fields, Graham is still a quick guard with the toughness that is often associated with football players on the court. It’s fitting that the QB for the Jaguars is also a steady floor general when he trades in his cleats for sneakers. The dual threat athlete is headed to Houston for football.
An athletic and do it all guard for Victory Christian, Doctor is another guard who has excelled as a WR and DB when putting on the pads. On the court he’s tough to keep out of the paint and in football, it’s tough for DBs to keep up with him. While football is likely his longterm sport, Doctor is expected to play a key role for the 3A contenders Conquerors this winter.
Smith is the classic athletic edge rusher that thrives on the court thanks to often being stronger and quicker than most of the other post players in the state. Now committed to Tulsa in football, Smith brings an extra dimension of physicality and post production for last year’s Class 6A semifinalist Yellowjackets. The fiery big man can even step out and hit the occasional three for Choctaw.
A physical wing-forward, Nero is strong, aggressive and deceptively bouncy with his rim rattling slams. Along with doing the dirty work on defense and as a rebounder, Nero is an effective scorer around the rim, with the occasional ability to even work out to the free throw with a jumper or two. On the gridiron, Nero is a physical off the ball linebacker, who’s defensive work should also translate back to basketball with his new school, Edmond Memorial.