Oklahoma Run PWP and Team Griffin Merge
The news struck many in the state of Oklahoma by surprise at 3:00 pm today. Oklahoma Run PWP has joined forces with Team Griffin in 2020. The change will unite the two most powerful grassroots programs in the state under one name, Team Griffin.
Rod Thompson founder of Oklahoma Run PWP felt it was time for multiple reasons.
“We have talked about it for several years,” said Thompson. “When Taylor hit me there were a couple of things. Being in a contract year with Under Armour we saw the vision not only for the boys but for the girl’s side with Shawn Williams. Shawn and I sat down prayed about the situation mapping out everything. It allows us to be able to be at a place where we can help and be selfless which was one of the biggest reasons.”
The mindset each side brings to the table comes down to one point.
“We want to make Oklahoma basketball the best we possibly can for our state,” said Taylor Griffin.
One shoe sponsored program has led to the best success in the state of Oklahoma over the years. Team Griffin Program director Kellen McCoy believes they are on the surface of a special partnership.
“Doing this for the summer basketball community bringing these two programs together I think everyone agrees it is beneficial for Oklahoma to have all of our best guys on one team,” said McCoy. “I think it says a whole lot about the Griffins, Rod Thompson, and Shawn Williams to come together. We are excited to work with those guys and build up Oklahoma basketball with Team Griffin on the national stage.”
Thompson echoed McCoy and says the journey now is to get all sides to work together to make the kids the best on and off the court.
“The merger brings a foundation to our state,” said Thompson. “How can we elevate, motivate and give the kids every opportunity to be the most successful.”
So what exactly does a merger mean for each side?
The merger will begin in the spring of 2020 with all high school teams coming under the Team Griffin name. The Team Griffin organization will not change much at the top with their Nike EYBL deal still very much so intact.
The biggest change is the Griffins are going to also fully sponsor the second set of teams at each age. The teams at this level will play on the Prep Hoops Circuit along with several other competitive tournament operators throughout the spring and summer.
“The goal is for everyone to get the looks they need,” said Griffin. “We want to place kids in positions for their best success on and off the court.”
The girl’s side of Oklahoma Run PWP under Shawn Williams will be joining forces with Team Griffin as well. The change will not fully happen until August of 2020 due to prior commitments. It was very clear from all sides the girls are a vital part of this merger.
“Shawn Williams has done a great job building up the PWP girls program to a high level,” said Griffin. “The big goal for the girl’s side is to chase an EYBL spot.”
From what I was able to attain from each side I believe this merger will take basketball in Oklahoma to another level. Team Griffin will benefit from the connections of Rod Thompson from over the years with college coaches, scouts, and the way he works with kids to better the program.
Many are well aware of the development role Rod paved the way for his son Bryce through training and guidance. What they may not realize is PWP began in 1999 and Rod has been able to get several players to high levels with his training and guidance. Rotnei Clarke, Keiton Page, Shake Milton, and Mitchell Solomon are just a few Rod has worked with on and off the court over the years.
Adding Rod to the team along with other members of the PWP coaching staff takes a high-level Team Griffin coaching staff up even another level.
The training and development for Oklahoma athletes are one of the biggest things this merger brings to the table. For years Rod has used what is called “The Ranch” in Tulsa to train athletes and mentor them. Team Griffin looks to use “The Ranch” plus add an Oklahoma City metro base to train and mentor.
“It is really about raising the level of basketball in our state,” said Griffin. “What Rod has built up in Tulsa with the skills training and the facility we want to duplicate that and build that out in the OKC metro. Having two hubs where skill development is going on to raise the skill level in Oklahoma.”
Instead of kids driving back and forth they can use that time to focus on the court training to be a better basketball player. One of the many things that are going to benefit kids in Oklahoma.
This merger was accomplished by several very influential people in the Oklahoma basketball community deciding to be selfless. Each of the individuals could have continued on building their own brand, however, they have decided to team up for the betterment of Oklahoma. Team Griffin will be announcing tryouts for Tulsa and Oklahoma City in the near future.