Oklahoma 2021 Division I Basketball Report
The recruiting season changed drastically and abruptly due to Covid-19. The 2021 Oklahoma class promised to be one of the most exceptional recruiting classes in recent memory, but its promise has been diluted without opportunity to showcase. While athletes would…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe recruiting season changed drastically and abruptly due to Covid-19. The 2021 Oklahoma class promised to be one of the most exceptional recruiting classes in recent memory, but its promise has been diluted without opportunity to showcase. While athletes would otherwise be competing in grassroots tournaments now, unfortunately, they are putting up shots in their driveways. As a team, we thought about how we could help shed light on the 2021 class and provide exposure off-the-hardwood. This story will take a look at each of the D-I potentials listed alphabetically and by projected level. Analysis and insights will be included from our senior writers, Matt Reynolds and Bryce McKinnis.
Trey Alexander Trey Alexander 6'4" | SG Oklahoma City Heritage | 2021 State #55 Nation OK | Heritage Hall |
6’4″ CG | St. No. 1 | Commitment: None |
MATT → The blue bloods are calling for Alexander as his recruitment is fully at the national level. The junior season of Alexander at Heritage Hall was nothing short of spectacular. When it comes down to making a college decision Alexander is going to have his pick of the litter. Alexander is a do it all guard who has grown so much in the past year as a creator at the Point. If he has an opportunity to get in front of national media members I believe Alexander should be right in the conversation for a McDonald’s All-American selection.
BRYCE → Ditto Reynolds. Alexander has solidified the top spot in the class since our initial rankings, and he has show no signs of slowing down. Alexander tightened his shooting game in his junior year, led his class in scoring and claimed a title at the Nike E16 Championship last summer. With little left to accomplish on the floor, Alexander will likely focus primarily on his recruiting in the coming months. His offers encompass almost all of the Big 12 (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State) plus Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tulsa, Southern Methodist, and others. Like Matt said, he’ll have his pick of the litter.
Proj: HIGH-MAJOR |
Bijan Cortes Bijan Cortes 6'2" | PG Kingfisher | 2021 State #195 Nation OK | Kingfisher |
6’2″ PG | St. No. 2 | Commitment: Oklahoma |
MATT → It is very rare to see a high school prospect take their most glaring weakness and turn into a positive. Now when you are describing the offensive game of Cortes it will go something like he has a slick handle, x-ray vision, precise passing, and a much improved three-pointer. Cortes shot over 50% from behind the arc in his junior season. Sorry colleges but Cortes is off the board with a firm commitment to Oklahoma.
BRYCE → Cortes has long-time been considered the most skilled point guard — handling, scoring, passing, playmaking — player in the class. However, his game lacked a great shooting attack. He could hit shots, but the rhythm and timing of his selections were often predictable, one-dimensional and limited. After hearing the chatter all summer, he got in the gym and made significant improvement to his game; so big, in fact, it led him to a state-high 50-percent from the 3-point line in his junior year. If you’re looking for a flip, however, you may want to redirect your attention. Cortes has been pretty unwavering on taking his talents to Norman in 2021.
Proj: HIGH-MAJOR |
Sean Pedulla Sean Pedulla 6'1" | PG Edmond Memorial | 2021 State #81 Nation OK | Edmond Memorial |
6’1″ PG | St. No. 6 | Commitment: None |
MATT → This kid is a different cat. Winner is the best way to describe the 6’2 Point Guard at Edmond Memorial. Not having a live period session this spring really hindered the recruitment of Pedulla. This is one of those guys you watch him once and you start to talk yourself into needing a Point Guard. He commands the team to push his guys to victory in whatever is needed at the moment. Pedulla can score at all three levels, sees the floor, has an extremely high basketball IQ, and last but not least competes his butt off on defense.
BRYCE → Pedulla has one of the most adaptable games I’ve ever seen. His court awareness is truly exceptional, allowing him to dash and cut between and through defenders before tossing a finger roll into the basket. And if his driving talents weren’t enough, his shot is just as off-the-charts, if not better. The kid can knock-down numerous shots on consecutive possessions and rarely has a cold night. He takes a few shots for his height and its pertinence to the translation of his game to the D-I level, which is certainly relevant. However, if you’ve ever seen him go-off for 30 on 15th Street or on the grassroots circuit, you know that his game is just that good. His game is so fundamental that he will likely adapt to college pace quickly.
Proj: MID-MAJOR+ |
Dalante Shannon Dalante Shannon 6'2" | CG Edmond North | 2021 State OK | Edmond North |
6’2″ Combo | St. No. 4 | Commitment: None |
MATT → The shifty slashing Combo Guard out of Edmond pulled in his first offer recently a from UCO after taking a huge positive step in his junior season. After dealing with a knee injury entering high school Shannon has resurged towards the top of the Oklahoma Class in a massive way. A two way player with major athleticism who seems to get better each time out on the court will have colleges liking him more the deeper they search.
BRYCE → It’s curious that Shannon’s recruitment hasn’t seen much circulation, save Bob Hoffman and the crew at Central Oklahoma. Nonetheless, Shannon has all of the tools to develop into a legitimate contender to play a mid-major program. He’s athletic as they come with exceptional explosive strength and the athleticism to play above the rim in the half-court. Defensively, he’s a menacing character to attempt to outlast or beat. He has been known to gather numerous steals-per-contest thanks to his closing speed and ball-tracking skills.
Proj: MID-MAJOR+ |
Keyondre Young Keyondre Young 6'7" | SF Del City | 2021 State OK | Del City |
6’7″ Wing | St. No. 3 | Commitment: None |
MATT → Hidden gem alert. I repeat get on Young now or prepare to regret it. A long, lanky high level shooting 6’8 Wing is a player every D1 could use. Young fits the mold of a three and D style of prospect. The jump he has made in the last year would have really stood out to colleges this spring. If you need a 6’8 three and D Wing I encourage you strongly to take a look at his film.
BRYCE → Emphasis on the PLUS. Young has improved in just about every category. He hits shots at an exceptional rate, is just as efficient from the mid-range, sees the floor and distributes well and has even grown a couple inches. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sold on him as a sophomore, but inflated exposure during the high school season enlightened me to his talent. You just can’t put a premium on a 6-foot-7 scoring guard who can shoot the ball at a D-I consistency.
Proj: MID-MAJOR+ |
Matthew Stone Matthew Stone 6'4" | SF Kingfisher | 2021 State OK | Kingfisher |
6’4″ Wing | St. No. 5 | Commitment: None |
MATT → The recruitment of Stone has been all over the place. After hearing a lot from High Major coaches early including some huge offers things have cooled for the time being. Sometimes colleges cool off on a prospect when they see offers higher than their level. If you are a Mid Major to Mid Major+ school looking for a Wing who busts his butt every play and will put everything on the line for his team this is a guy to take a strong look. Stone thrives as a slasher and driver to the rack. I do not say this lightly Stone really gives everything he has and yes including on defense.
BRYCE → While Stone’s recruiting has cooled some, he still has a few offers and a great junior season to build from. Most underrated about Stone is his offensive tenacity while remaining efficient. He finished his 2020 season shooting 74 percent from the field, a class-high, as he accrued over 17 points-a-night for the first-ranked YellowJackets. Meanwhile, Stone still manages to contribute the same energy for extensive lengths of games. At the high school level, he has been the pinnacle of a 32-minute player who can produce on a night-in, night-out basis.
Proj: MID-MAJOR |
Anthony Pritchard Anthony Pritchard 6'1" | PG Tulsa Webster | 2021 State OK | Tulsa Webster |
6’1″ PG | St. No. 8 | Commitment: None |
MATT → Most improved prospect in the last year in the Oklahoma 2021 Class? Pritchard makes a strong claim to being in the conversation.
Pritchard recently landed an offer from UMKC and Tennessee Tech. They don’t hand out Green Country Conference Player of the Year awards to just anyone. The strong presence of Pritchard on the court commands respect. Colleges can no longer question his height due to his growth spurt up to 6’2. Add in his improved athleticism and it is easy to see why schools are starting to take a strong look at the Webster prospect. Pritchard can fill it up especially from beyond the arc, but it should also be noted his impact on the game beyond scoring.
BRYCE → If you’re a mid-to-low major program at the D-I level looking for a do-it-all guard with translatable skills on both ends of the floor who can guard their best guard, take a serious look at Pritchard. His name remains atop the short-list of most talented shooting prospects in the area, and his game has now expanded to include keen slashing-and-passing skills as well as the ability to finish at the rim.
Proj: LOW-TO-MID-MAJOR |
Tobias Roland Jr Tobias Roland Jr 6'3" | SG Putnam City North | 2021 State OK . | Putnam City North |
6’3″ SG | St. No. 7 | Commitment: None |
MATT → Tweener is how many refer to Roland Jr. In the three years of his high school career, Roland has made the move out to the perimeter playing the 2 and 3. The improvements made in his game are very evident. A sighting of Roland slashing to the rim past opponents is a common thing to see at a PC North game. The 6’3 strong frame of Roland is going to fit perfectly in a system where he can be the do a little bit of everything guy on the Wing.
BRYCE → Finding the fit for Roland will be the priority of whichever program lands him. In the mean-time, its Roland’s versatility and inflated role that make the incoming senior such a talented player on the floor and touted recruit. I don’t generally like the term glue guy when it refers to a role-player or lesser-talented prospect, so I typically would refrain from assigning it to a prospect; for Roland, however, it fits the bill not because of a lack of talent but the converse. Roland has expanded his strengths to include literally every facet of the game with an emphasis on defending guards of any mold.
Proj: LOW-TO-MID-MAJOR |
Jaylon White Jaylon White 5'11" | PG Norman North | 2021 State OK | Norman North |
6’0″ PG | St. No. 10 | Commitment: None |
MATT → The recruitment process has been slow for White. Recently, great news receiving his first offer from North Carolina AT&T. Many times it just takes the first offer to come in to earn a few. White is a gifted scorer off the dribble thriving in playmaking situations. This past high school season White took on the challenge of being the clear leader of his team. As a junior, the team looked to White not only to lead but as the go-to guy non-stop.
BRYCE → White has earned his spot the hard way; he took bench time with Team Griffin, helped it claim the E16 Championship, came back for an outstanding junior season for Norman North and, alas, earned his first D-I offer a couple weeks ago. He’s an impressive athletic prospect with next-gear speed and great on-court tools; he shoots the ball well, has a package of absurd finishes and can defend opposing guards.
Proj: LOW-MAJOR |
Devon Barnes | the Lawton Christian School |
6’1″ PG | St. No. 9 | Commitment: None |
MATT → Barnes really has just never got his due in the state. Possibly because of playing at a school outside the OSSAA, but nevertheless he is a legit D1 prospect with his talented creating skills at the Point. Barnes is one of those guys who is constantly making players around him better. Do not sleep on his ability to score the basketball either. This summer seemed like a launch opportunity for Barnes. Hopefully for his sake and many others he will get the opportunity to show his skill set.
BRYCE → Barnes, though crammed into the quiet southwest corner of the state, has game that can take him to great levels. As an athlete, Barnes is one of the quickest, most mobile and agile guards in the state while packing the explosive strength and toughness to contend with defenders near the rim. He plays at a gear above his competition and can score the ball at an elite level from the dribble. He shoots the ball well, finishes well and can also defend opposing points.
Proj: LOW-MAJOR |
DJ Freeman DJ Freeman 6'4" | PF Casady | 2021 State OK | Casady |
6’4″ Forward | St. No. 11 | Commitment: None |
MATT → The clear athletic freak of the class in 2021 for the state of Oklahoma is DJ Freeman DJ Freeman 6'4" | PF Casady | 2021 State OK . Height will be the biggest detractor from Freeman getting D1 looks. He does have an offer from ORU on the table with several other schools interested. Rebounding is a strong suit for Freeman. Quite frankly hustling areas is where Freeman is a killer on the court. Put backs, blocks, diving on the floor are just a few of the things that will stand out to colleges. The growth of Freeman on the perimeter is vital to his D1 projection but I like what I’ve seen from him. Freeman is a prospect that is going to blossom in college.
BRYCE → Freeman will face hurdles due to his position as few posts make it to the D-I level with his frame. Where he makes up for stature, however, is his physical strength. Freeman is a hooper who can rack up buckets, rebounds and blocks. He plays especially well from the high-post where he uses his ball-handling capabilities to gather to the rim with a full-head of steam. If you’re anywhere in his area-code when he does, you may want to clear out.
Proj: LOW-MAJOR |