Oklahoma 2017-2018 Player of the Year
The Prep Hoops Oklahoma Player of the Year award goes to the player each year that demonstrates high-level production, leadership, and victories on the court. This year the race was very close between several players ultimately our staff came to an unanimous decision. Carl Albert senior Point Guard Mason Harrell is the Prep Hoops Oklahoma Player of the Year.
Harrell demonstrated great production this season dominating the hardwood averaging 30.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. Not only was the scoring from Harrell at a high level it was also very efficient as he shot 54.3%. This season Harrell was the most productive player in Oklahoma. The leadership Harrell brought to Carl Albert as the starting Point Guard for the last four years was impeccable. For his high school career, Harrell averaged 24.3 points, 4.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game. As the dust settles Harrell will go down in the Carl Albert history books as one of the top players with the most wins in school history. He led the Titans to four state tournaments, including a state championship his sophomore year.
This past weekend Harrell made his college decision committing to Texas State University. Over his basketball career, Harrell has continued to hear one constant thing, he is small. Despite his size, Harrell was the best player on the court this season in Oklahoma. The recruitment of Harrell was a long windy road that finally ended at Texas State NCAA Division I program in the Sun Belt Conference.
“It’s been a really long journey,” said Harrell. “I just stayed the course and trusted the process. It is a great feeling but there is still a lot more work to do to get to where I want to be.”
Harrell has his goals set on showing people what he can do on the court in college.
“I want to prove that I can become one of the best players in the sun belt conference,” said Harrell. “I want to lead my team to a conference championship”
The work ethic Harrell has is off the charts. The hard work Harrell puts in on the hardwood is what makes him an immediate impact player. The style of Texas State Head Coach Danny Kaspar is a great fit for Harrell. Over his coaching career, Kaspar has had great success with talented undersized guards. The deciding factor for Harrell was the relationships he built with the Texas State coaching staff. The lead recruiter of Harrell was Assistant Coach Jim Shaw.
“I liked a lot of things at Texas State,” said Harrell. “The coaches really emphasized academics and graduating which is something I really like. Plus the campus and facilities are all great.”
Harrell will be very successful in college because of his work ethic, high basketball IQ, skill level, toughness, and drive. Prep Hoops Oklahoma will present Harrell the Player of the Year Award on May 15th at the Prep Hoops Oklahoma All-Star Game at Mid-America University.
Previous Prep Hoops Oklahoma Player of the Year Winners
2017 Trae Young- Norman North
2016 Kristian Doolittle- Edmond Memorial
2015 Shake Milton- Owasso
For more information email Matt@prephoops.com