Published by The HOOP SCOOP,
Inc., P.O. Box 37122, Louisville, KY 40233 Editor
& Publisher Clark Francis Email
Address: clark@hoopscooponline.com Phone
(502) 493-0043 Fax (502) 493-0440All
rights reserved - Copyright 1999
OKLAHOMA REPORT
by Bob Grace, the Oklahoma
Editor for both HOOP SCOOP and Midwest Basketball
First Team All-State
Jack Marlow,
6'10, Sr, C, Tulsa (Union) OK
Pat Moore,
6'9, Jr, PF,
Tulsa (Washington) OK
Terrance Crawford,
6'6, Sr, WF, Oklahoma City (McGuiness) OK
Jason Parker,
6'3, Sr, 2G, Tulsa (Memorial) OK
Jonathan Bluitt,
5'10, Jr, PG,
Oklahoma City (McGuinnes) OK
Second Team All-State
Matthew Gastel,
6'11, Sr, C, Jenks (H.S.) OK
Greg Davis,
6'9, Sr, PF, Tulsa (Washington) OK
Angelo Estes,
6'7, Jr, PF,
Tulsa (Washington) OK
Steven Alexander,
6'3, Sr, 2G, Midwest City (H.S.) OK
Kelenna Azubuike,
6'3, Soph, 2G,
Tulsa (Victory Christian) OK
Third Team All-State
Cue Doyle,
6'8, Sr, PF, Tulsa (McLain) OK
Mike McCowan,
6'7, Jr, WF,
Oklahoma City (Capital Hill) OK
by Clark Francis, Editor
& Publisher of the HOOP SCOOP
Our primary source on prep players in the state of Oklahoma for years has
been Greg Swaim, the Editor & Publisher of Midwest
Basketball. However, Swaim, who is widely
regarded as the foremost authority on high school basketball in this part
of the country and who himself was once a HOOP SCOOP discovery,
can no longer provide us with player rankings or be quoted in the HOOP
SCOOP due to contract obligations with Rival Net. As a
result, we can no longer recognize the great job that Swaim does not can
we give him the credit that he deserves. Instead, from now on one
of Swaim's associates, Bob Grace, who is the Oklahoma Editor for
Midwest Basketball,
will be providing us with rankings and information about the top players
in Oklahoma.
Still at the top of the list is 6'6 Terrance Crawford from Oklahoma
City (McGuiness) OK, but what makes things especially interesting in the
state are the top ranked players - 6'9 Jr Pat Moore from Pawnee
(H.S.) OK, 6'3 Soph Kelenna Azubuike from Tulsa (Victory Christian)
OK, and 6'2 Frosh Jared Mitchel from Woodward (H.S.) OK - in the
state in the next three classes.
We'll talk more about the underclassmen in a minute, but first let's take
a quick look at the three seniors in the state with top 100 talent and/or
potential. Crawford is a big-time athlete and a terrific talent,
but he has yet to perfect his outside shooting, which is why he isn't included
among our national top 50. Also ranked among our top 100 nationally,
as well as #2 in the state in the senior class based primarily on his vast
amount of potential, is 6'10 Jack Marlow from Tulsa (Union) OK.
As was the case with former Oklahoma State All-American Bryant Reeves
at the same stage, Marlow is still raw and needs time to develop, but
his potential is enormous. Also like Reeves who wasn't nicknamed
"Big Country for nothing, Marlow is enormous physically as well.
And just like Reeves, Marlow is going to Oklahoma State. As a matter
of fact, there was never any doubt about it. Remember, Marlow made
an early commitment to the Cowboys over a year ago. We also have
to mention 6'3 Jason Parker from Tulsa (Memorial) OK. However,
like Crawford, Parker is a great athlete whose forte is transition, but
still needs to work on his jumpshot.
The senior class is average, but the junior class in Oklahoma has the potential
to really be good. Moore, who is half white and half Indian, promises
to be the next great player in the state. "His game is coast-to-coast,"
says Grace. "He reminds you of Magic Johnson with his ability
to rebound, get points off transition, and make people around him better."
The best point guard in the state regardless of class is 5'10 Jr Jonathan
Bluitt from Oklahoma City (McGuiness) OK. What he lacks in size,
he more than makes up for with his great handling and passing skills, ability
to see the floor, and tremendous quickness. As a matter of fact,
several coaches we've talked with think Bluitt is the quickness guard in
the entire Midwest. Another great athlete in the junior class with
top 100 potential nationally is 6'7 Angelo Estes from Tulsa (Washington)
OK. "But he tends to be hot and cold," says Grace. "If he ever
develops some consistency, he would become a prime target for a lot of
Big 12 schools."
Providing some quality depth in Oklahoma's junior class are two of the
best players in the Midwest that you've never heard of in 6'7 Jr Mike
McCowan from Oklahoma City (Capital Hill) OK and 6'4 Jr Freddie
Robinson from Tulsa (Central) OK. Neither is a top 100 player
nationally, but they'll both get a lot of mid-to-high major looks, because
they're both very athletic, smart, and talented. We also have to
mention 7'3 Jr David Schaefer from Tulsa (Victory Christian) OK
due to his size, but he doesn't have a love for the game and, as a result,
he hasn't made the progress we expected. However, big guys develop
late, so don't right him off just yet.
Originally the star of the sophomore class was 6'9 Shelden Williams,
but he transferred from Midwest City (H.S.) OK to McKinney (H.S.) TX.
However, Azubuike may turn out to be just as good, as was evident by his
performance at the adidas ABCD Camp in July. Azubuike is a
prolific scorer with athleticism, skills, and talent, but he also has it
made off the court. Not only is he a great kid and a great student,
but he comes from a great background (his father is an extremely successful
surgeon).
Mitchel, who established his reputation on the AAU circuit at his age level,
already has the size necessary to be a point guard at the next level, because
he currently stands at 6'2. However, he's still growing and, if he
tops out at 6'7, as projected, there is no telling how good he could be.
He has terrific handling and passing skills, as well as excellent savvy,
good court awareness, and unlimited shooting range.
THE
HOOPSCOOP Online