Conner Calavan’s Commitment Story
The University of Central Oklahoma has been a dominant force in recruiting talent from the state of Oklahoma over the past few years. That is no different this season with the commitments of three different recruits from the Oklahoma. Davon…
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Continue ReadingThe University of Central Oklahoma has been a dominant force in recruiting talent from the state of Oklahoma over the past few years. That is no different this season with the commitments of three different recruits from the Oklahoma. Davon Richardson (Sand Springs), Austin Fenton(Talihina) and the last commit was Conner Calavan (Fort Gibson).
Calavan signed with the Brochos on December 2 in the fieldhouse at Fort Gibson. Calavan had a large crowd of people who were there to support him. He filled the gym floor with friends, family and coaches. Calavan is a shooting guard that averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists last season.
Calavan had different factors that were big to him in the recruiting process. Calavan has been apart of success at Fort Gibson and lists winning as one of his big factors along with a family connection to why he chose UCO.
“Getting to play with my brother again is going to be really cool,” said Calavan. “I just love Coach Hoffman’s drive. He wants to win a national championship and I think he can actually do it.”
Calavan realizes that there is more than just basketball at the next level. Some of the other factors that weighed into his decision was the proximity to home.
“I feel like it is close enough to home that I can get home if I need to,” said Calavan. “I also feel like it is far enough away that I still feel like I am getting away.”
Bob Hoffman is a historic coach that has had a lot of success at different levels of the game. He has done almost everything when it comes to coaching. He has won a national title in the NAIA on the women’s side of the game. He has won the CIT championship, two Sun Belt regular season championships, a Sun Belt postseason championship, and was twice named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year. He has amassed a record of 608-335 across all divisions and men’s and women’s coaching. With all of that success, Calavan says there is still more to why he committed to Coach Hoffman and the Brochos.
“I think Coach Hoffman is a great guy,” said Calavan. “He cares about us off the court more than he does on the court. He is going to push us to be as good as we can.
Calvan can’t get over the fact that he will be getting to play with his older brother Carson again.
“It is going to be awesome,” Calavan said. “Playing with him at Fort Gibson for two years was the best time of my life. I am looking forward to doing it again.”
Calavan has a different mindset when he is on the court. He does not care who he is playing against he is going to be confident. While he realizes he may not be better than who he is playing, that will not stop him from going at him.
“I just think that I am as good as anyone that I am going to play,” said Calavan. “I may not be but that is my mindset going into everything. I am just going to outwork you.”
Calavan does not think that he has done it on his own. He realizes that he has had to have a lot of help along the way to get to where he is now. He credits his coaches at Fort Gibson and Coach Coons from Catoosa for coaching him in the summer leagues. He also gives credit to his family for pushing him to be who he is becoming.
Calavan had fun during his recruitment but he is glad to be able to know where he is going before the start of his senior season. He is ready to focus on the upcoming season as the Fort Gibson Tigers open up play tonight against Locust Grove. As for what Calavan wants to accomplish in the upcoming season it’s simple.
“I just want to play in March,” said Calavan.