Our final 2009 class rankings are being revealed starting May 11. Releasing one team a day leading up to our #1 ranking and the signing day finale on May 20.
A brief note: The Oklahoma ranking is being released on a day when the best player to ever lace them up in Norman passes away. Wayman Tisdale passed away this morning at the age of 44 after a two year battle with cancer. Today is a sad day indeed for Oklahoma. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tisdale family in their time of loss. Tisdale still holds the record at Oklahoma for the most points scored by any player through their freshman and sophomore seasons and was a three time All American, not to mention his accomlishments as an artist. Wayman Tisdale June 9, 1964-May 15, 2009.
It seems like just yesterday when head coach Jeff Capel was knocking down huge threes for Duke. Now at only 34 years old Capel has officially arrived at the top tier of college coaching. Since April 11, 2006 the talent in Norman has had a huge influx. With the addition of Blake Griffin (07') and Willie Warren (08'), football was no longer the Lone star in the O.K. state. The 2009 class is Capel's best yet. This five man class has all the tools to help this team maintain its physical prowess without the Griffin brothers.
Keith Gallon- This kid is a monster in the post. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and finishes with authority. Has a huge frame like Glen Davis, but is taller and more of a true post. Has great footwork and should develop into a force on the defensive end of the court as well. Gallon is also blessed with a great feel for the game and soft hands. This kid will be one of the most impressive freshman in the country and could shock the nation by being the freshman of the year. We love this kids potential, he will thrive, especially at the collegiate level. This kid is among the top 5 players in the 2009 class, in our opinion. Photo.
High School: Oak Hill Academy
Hometown: Houston, TX
Position: PF/C
Height: 6'9
Weight: 290
Rivals.com Rank: #9, #2 C
Scout.com Rank: #11, #3 C
ESPN.com Rank: #11, #3 C, scouts grade 97
Spin: This kid is a beast, we love his potential. We like Rivals ranks the best.
Tommy Mason-Griffin- This kid is a score first point guard that will down break a team in a hurry , if not accounted for. Has great elevation on his shot and squares up his body well. A powerful compact guard that can do just about everything. Has lapses on the defensive end of the court, but if he can learn to be as intense on that end of the court he will be just fine. The third best penetrating point guard in the class behind John Wall and Peyton Siva in our opinion. Will be great in Norman and maybe in the NBA.
High School: Madison High
Hometown: Houston, TX
Position: PG
Height: 5'11
Weight: 190
Rivals.com Rank: #46, #10 PG
Scout.com Rank: #27, #4 PG
ESPN.com Rank: #24, #4 PG, scouts grade 96
Spin: This kid is talented, but needs to stay hungry, We like Scouts ranks best.
Andrew Fitzgerald- This kid is another wide bodied post player that will compliment Gallon well. Works hard in the paint and scores most of the time because he seems to want it more, not because of talent. Is a relentless rebounder that has posted some sick total in his high school career. Has decent footwork but has a long way too go. Fitzgerald imposes himself well enough on the defensive end, though he has work to do. This kid has probably intrigued us more than any other 09' prospect. He has a ton of talent and potential, and has improved like we expected him too. Coach Capel will push this young man and quite possibly turn him into a stud in the post. Photo.
High School: Brewster Academy
Hometown: Owings Mills, MD
Position: PF/C
Height: 6'8
Weight: 245
Rivals.com Rank: #79, #9 C
Scout.com Rank: #85, #13 C
ESPN.com Rank: #68, #23 PF, scouts grade 92
Spin: This kid has talent, will it translate into D1 Success? We like ESPN.
Steve Pledger- This kid is a hard worker. What he doesn't have in talent he makes up for with hard work and dedication. Pledger has great size and mediocre athleticism and lateral quickness. Pledger is a very good set shooter and can knock down the mid range jumper off of a curl or screen. Will have trouble off the bounce at the D1 level. An average defender now, but should improve. Next season this kid should be a role player and could have a few double digit scoring games. Overall Pledger is a solid prospect and could play a larger role as his career and skill progress. Photo.
High School: Atlantic Shores Christian School
Hometown: Chesapeake, VA
Position: SG
Height: 6'4
Weight: 185
Rivals.com Rank: #121, #26 SG
Scout.com Rank: 100-105*, #23 SG, 4 stars
ESPN.com Rank: #84, #21 SG, scouts grade 91
Spin: This kid has promise, but will need some time. We like Rivals.
Kyle Hardrick- Mr. Hardrick is has great hands and a high IQ. Hardrick will be a serviceable player especially in the high post where he has a soft touch and an above average passing ability for a big. This kid was a high school teammate of Xavier Henry at Putnam high in Oklahoma. You know your going to get relentless effort and passionate play at all times ala Mark Madsen. Has had little chance to prove himself while playing on a loaded high school team. Expect small numbers, big heart and limited minutes for the first couple of seasons. Photo.
High School: Putnam City High School
Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK
Position: PF/C
Height: 6'9
Weight: 235
Rivals.com Rank: NR, 3 star
Scout.com Rank: NR, #23 C, 3 star
ESPN.com Rank: NR, #38 PF, scouts grade 89
Spin: Makes up for talent with his big valentine. We like Scouts rank of 3+ star.
