Lon Kruger off to fast start in class of 2016
After closing out the 2015 signing class strong, Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger and his staff wasted no time in getting off to a fast start with the 2016 class.
The Sooners secured a pledge from one of the nation's top point guards in Payton Pritchard last month, and in only the second day of December OU has landed its second commitment for the 2016 class.
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Edmond Memorial (Okla.) small forward Kristian Doolittle verbally committed to play for the Sooners late Tuesday morning.
The three-star recruit has flown under the radar for the most part, but Edmond Memorial coach Shane Cowherd believes Kruger and his staff are getting quite possibly the best junior prep player in Oklahoma.
"I say this biased but I believe this. I think he's the best player in the class of 2016 in the state," Cowherd told SoonerScoop.com. "People will see his recruiting, and his rankings just fly through the roof here over the course of this next year because he is a dynamic player.
"I know Coach Kruger has been on him since he was freshman, and (Doolittle) felt really, really good about going to the Sooners, especially because of his relationship with Coach Kruger."
While Doolittle's physical traits are impressive -- he stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 200 pounds already -- it's his experience and basketball savvy Cowherd believes distinguishes Doolittle from the rest.
"One thing I think they're getting is a really smart player," Cowherd said. "Kristian has a lot of game experience. He's played since he was a freshman, which is pretty unusual for us and the kind of competition that we've played in the last few years in [Class] 6A.
"He's a kid that has a lot of perimeter ability to go with the ability to finish around the rim. He's a kid with a very high basketball IQ."
For Edmond Memorial, Doolittle does most his work around the rim. He's proven to be an outstanding rebounder for his squad and averaged nearly 16 points and nine boards per game as a sophomore.
"Those are some of the best numbers we've ever had for a sophomore here at Edmond Memorial," Cowherd said. "We've had some pretty good ones over the last few years."
That they have.
You might remember the latest Edmond Memorial player OU picked up. He starts at point guard for the Sooners now, and his name is Jordan Woodard.