2027 and 2028 Prospects Hitting Their Peak

Oklahoma features a ton of upperclassman talent throughout the state. Today we will look at several rising sophomores and juniors. This group will touch on a little bit of everything as each player brings several different qualities to the table on the basketball floor. From leadership, to shooting, and everything else in between, this list showcases some top level talent. It is also no surprise that many of the players on this list are a part of some great teams that have gotten out to some really good starts so far this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2371288' first='Damarion' last='Jones'] | Midwest City   The junior guard has picked right up where he left off in the month of December. Jones operates best when putting the ball on the floor and attacking the goal. While he may not be the tallest or longest, his ability to get past defenders and play off two feet in the paint really sets him apart. Jones shows a crafty side that allows him to find space through defenders as he works his way to the rim. He has been finishing well and has provided 14.5 points per game in his last two outings against Southeast and Noble. He was effective from both mid-range and beyond the arc against Southeast as well, showing good touch on his jump shot.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140720' first='Aidan' last='Cooper-Kelley'] | Norman   Cooper-Kelley has helped propel Norman to a strong start this season, with only defeats so far. With wins over Southmoore (6A) and a very good Cascia Hall team (4A), look for Norman to keep the momentum going this month. The junior guard can create offensively through both attacking pressure off the dribble and shooting from mid-range. He has increased his usage of a pull back dribble to work into his mid-range shot so far this year as well. Cooper-Kelley can work both on and off the ball, making himself so versatile that he can't be off the court for long. Look for Norman to continue to utilize his three-level scoring on the offensive end and potentially draw up more sets for him this semester.   [player_tooltip player_id='2398309' first='Damonte' last='Owens'] | Roland   The Rangers are off to an undefeated start, highlighted by a 12-point win over Pocola. For the season, the sophomore is averaging 22.6 points, 4.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Owens leads both by example and by his voice. He thrives with the ball in his hand and showcases the full package for a lead guard. Not only can he find open teammates and push the ball ahead in transition, but his scoring has even increased since last season. Owens has a knack for understanding defenders' leverage and using his athleticism on the offensive end. His shooting from beyond the arc has been something that his teammates can rely on as they look to find him in catch and shoot situations on the perimeter. Owens is also assisting and rebounding at a higher rate than last season as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140739' first='Edan' last='Litherland'] | McLoud   Litherland has been on a tear so far this season, averaging 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. The junior's best performance came against Tecumseh in December where he scored 32 points and helped the Redskins overcome a 15-point deficit to win 56-55. His ability to shoot far beyond the 3-point line has been a bright spot for his squad this season. At 6'3”, he is able to shoot over a lot of perimeter defenders across from him consistently. Look for Litherland to continue to lead through his scoring, while also distributing to teammates in situations where defenses look to double or take him away.   [player_tooltip player_id='2554643' first='Slade' last='Black'] | Crossings Christian   The versatile Black has really emerged as a terrific scorer of the ball for his club. His ability to shoot off the catch was on display throughout the Mustang Tournament a few days ago. To compliment his shooting, the 6'6 sophomore has increased his cutting to the goal away from the ball and teammates have started to find him more and more. Not only does Black create matchup issues on the offensive end, but he has shown more and more activity on the defensive end as well. With his height and length, he can guard multiple positions. Black is a very good athlete that can block shots at the rim consistently. The Knights has also put him in spots to guard perimeter threats and he has come up with some steals and deflections lately. The outside shooting that his team has shown has been remarkable lately and the sophomore loves to operate from the corners in these catch and shoot situations. Continuing to space the floor, while also attacking and picking his spots can really compliment his other teammates moving forward. Look for this team to continue their ascension into the second half of their season with a ton of confidence.   [player_tooltip player_id='3191948' first='Ethan' last='Konkol'] | Cascia Hall   Konkol has been shooting the ball well lately for the Commandos. The junior has been very efficient for a team that has put together some strong offensive performances of late. He put together strong play in the Tournament of Champions recently, including a 14 point, 6 rebound performance against Owasso. Konkol shot 50% from deep, while hitting four 3-pointers. His activity and effort on the glass was able to extend possessions in a game in which the Commandos really had to work hard to hold off some serious firepower from the Rams. His ability to hit his perimeter shot consistently, while not forcing up too many can really help this team as they work through the next few months into postseason play. At 6'4", he is able to shoot over a lot of perimeter defenders; look for teammates to continue to find him in spot up situations.

Oklahoma features a ton of upperclassman talent throughout the state. Today we will look at several rising sophomores and juniors. This group will touch on a little bit of everything as each player brings several different qualities to the table on the basketball floor. From leadership, to shooting, and everything else in between, this list showcases some top level talent. It is also no surprise that many of the players on this list are a part of some great teams that have gotten out to some really good starts so far this year.