Oklahoma 2017-2018 MIP
The 2017-2018 high school season is in the books leading us to award season. The Most Improved Player award is given to the most improved player throughout the season. Votes for all Prep Hoops Oklahoma awards are voted on by the staff of Matt Reynolds (Senior Writer), Zach Cobler, Austin Usery, and Brandon Willis. This year the vote was unanimous for the Oklahoma Most Improved Player of the Year.
Antonio Gordon, Lawton Ike 2019 Post, enhanced his game immensely over this season, leading Lawton Ike to the Class 5A State Tournament. The change in Gordon’s game on the court was very noticeable. When you start to analyze the stats from the sophomore year of Gordon to his junior season it is eye opening. In the 2016-2017 high school season, Gordon averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, .2 assists, and .8 blocks per game. This year Gordon dominated raising his averages to 20.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.
The transformation in Gordon’s game is phenomenal. Extra work on the court, is what Lawton Ike head coach Todd Millwee believes helped Gordon make the big jump.
“Antonio’s improvement from his sophomore to junior year has been amazing,” Millwee said. “He is an excellent example of what one can get out of putting in extra work on your craft. He is usually the first in the gym and the last one to leave. He asks to come to the gym on weekends and off days to work on his game.”
Another thing that sticks out about Gordon is he works on all facets of the game, not just the areas he is best.
“The mental part of his game has also greatly improved,” said Millwee. “He works hard in all areas of his game, not just his strengths. He was willing to handle the ball and make the extra passes to help our team this year as shown in averaging 3 assists per game. He will take on a bigger role next year as a Point Forward type of player for us, making decisions as our senior leader.”
On top of his numbers going through the roof, Gordon also increased his shooting percentage from 42% to 54%. The jump Gordon made this year took him from a prospect being looked at by NCAA Division II level schools to becoming a top five projected NCAA Division I prospect in the Oklahoma 2019 Class. The success story of Gordon centers around a young man that bought into his role at Lawton Ike, worked extremely hard and challenged himself.
Gordon will be presented the Oklahoma Most Improved Player award at the Prep Hoops Oklahoma 2018 All-Star game later this spring.
For more information email Matt@prephoops.com