OU lands Rivals 150 PF Dante Buford

Rivals top 150 recruit Dante Buford announced his commitment to Oklahoma early Thursday morning.

Buford is the second Rivals top 150 prospect -- along with Khadeem Lattin -- to commit to OU in the last two weeks. He is a 6-foot-7 forward who is more likely to play on the wings in college.

Buford will become another member of Arlington (Jacksonville, Fla.) County Day players who have signed national letters of intent to play Division I basketball. Others include Rodney McGruder (Kansas State), Justin Jackson (Cincinnati) and Gary Browne (West Virginia).

Buford's high school coach, Rex Morgan, told SoonerScoop.com what kind of ballplayer committed to OU.

"He's a great kid. He's really matured a lot since he came here," Morgan said. "He's a lot more mature about his game, his work ethic. I think he's got tremendous upside."

Morgan said the first attribute that struck him about Buford was his athleticism.

"He's so athletic," he said. "I mean -- that catches everybody's eye. I think because he's such a great athlete people don't realize that he can really shoot the ball, and he's a very good passer.

"To move out to (small forward) he needs to work on his ball-handling. But he can guard a (small forward) right now, which is very important. He's just got incredible timing, and he jumps so easy."

Morgan said Buford's decision to commit to OU was entirely his, and Morgan supports him.

"Well, it was his decision," Morgan said. "He really felt comfortable with the coaches there, their style of play. That's where he wanted to go. He's the one that has to go to class. He's the one that has to go to practice. Like every player I have, once they make their decision I support it 100 percent."

The early signing period for basketball players begins Nov. 13.