First NCAA Live Period Notebook
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It was a busy weekend of basketball, as Oklahoma squads traveled all over the country in search of exposure to college coaches. I personally was in Orlando, Florida with Team Griffin at Nike’s EYBL stop. There will be an in-depth…
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Continue ReadingIt was a busy weekend of basketball, as Oklahoma squads traveled all over the country in search of exposure to college coaches. I personally was in Orlando, Florida with Team Griffin at Nike’s EYBL stop. There will be an in-depth breakdown of Oklahoma Team Griffin standouts later today.
For now, let’s gather some information on how other Oklahomans did all over the country.
If any notable standouts were missed, Tweet/DM @PrepHoopsOK and will try to get any included in the preview for next weekend’s Live Period Events
Trae Young Elite – Indianapolis
Ada Product Kaden Cooper Kaden Cooper 6'4" | SG Ada | 2022 OK Blows Up
Originally a Class of 2022 prospect, Kaden Cooper Kaden Cooper 6'4" | SG Ada | 2022 OK reclassified to Class of 2023 when he left Oklahoma to play in Georgia for The Skills Factory Prep School. At Ada it didn’t always translate but one thing was apparent; Cooper was the most athletic prospect I had seen in Oklahoma since Josh Richardson (Edmond Santa Fe 2011) who of course played with the San Antonio Spurs last night in the NBA play in tournament. Since Richardson there had been explosive leapers or lightning quick players. But none had molded the similar quick twitch explosion with high end jumping quite like Richardson did.
Enter Kaden Cooper Kaden Cooper 6'4" | SG Ada | 2022 OK , who stands a similar height and possess similar athletic traits to the now NBA player. A difference between the two when playing high school was that Richardson always brought energy and impact to every game I saw him play at Santa Fe over a decade ago. Cooper would have those moments but like many young players still developing he would be prone to drifting in and out of games. The upside was always there, it was just a matter of buying in mentally and consistently tapping into his NBA level athletic ability.
It appears this weekend the light finally came on for Cooper. The proof of that? The double digit offers Cooper snared playing in front of coaches in Indiana. Included in that listing of schools are Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas State, Illinois and more big time programs are now trying to convince the southern Oklahoma native that they’re the right program to unleash his sky high potential at the next level.
Kaden Cooper is one of the most explosive players on the Adidas circuit! #3SSB @kaden580 @teamtraeyoungmb pic.twitter.com/YTXCvpBOVV
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) April 11, 2022
Perry competes nationwide
The #3SSB is one of the top travel circuits in the country. Skilled Sebastian Perry Sebastian Perry 6'1" | PG Heritage Hall | 2023 State OK is a locked in target for many small colleges in and around Oklahoma. But this opportunity should allow him to increase his profile to potential Low-Mid Major programs looking to add a skilled and efficient guard. He’s already had a game with 5 three pointers, proving that his efficient scoring playing style can translate from Heritage Hall to the higher levels of national competition.
Sebastian Perry highlights from Adidas Indy with Team Trae Young! #3SSB @sebdaboss7 @teamtraeyoungmb pic.twitter.com/iECFIvYlBo
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) April 13, 2022
Young but talented
The Class of 2025 has some very interesting high end talent, and athletic Putnam City West rising freshman Carlsheon Young is firmly among those players at the head of the class. Playing up with Trae Young Elite’s 16U team, he broke into scoring double figures thanks to his big developing athleticism. He even caught a lot of attention for his ability to attack the rim, as evident by program sponsor Trae Young tweeted out his transition slam. The 6 foot 4 lefty guard has big time upside thanks to his scoring ability, but the defensive focused foundation he’s laying down during winter time at Putnam City West will be crucial to his development. The 16U team for Trae Young Elite is filled with talented Class of 2024 prospects and went 4-0 on the weekend.
👀👀👀🔥 @Carlsheon_Young
Watch Ya Head! @teamtraeyoungmb pic.twitter.com/xRPmYM8gL7— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 10, 2022
Buddy Buckets – Recruit Look Hoops
Caison Cole – Game Winner vs Da House
Buddy Buckets’ 17U team had two of the better scorers in Oklahoma this past high school year in Kevin Overton Kevin Overton 6'5" | SG Homeschool | 2022 State OK (Norman North) and Zander Baker Zander Baker 5'10" | PG Norman | 2023 State OK (Putnam City North). Proving the depth they have as one of the better teams in Oklahoma, is Norman lead guard Caison Cole. With those talented teammates he might not have as many playmaking opportunities he gets in high school season, but he is excelling as a shooter. Cole had multiple games where he hit multiple three pointers. Included nailing a contested and high pressure game winner on Saturday, featured below.
Crazy game between Buddy Buckets and Da House, best game of the event so far. Caison Cole ended the game for Buddy Buckets @BuddyBuckets @Da__House @caison_cole #RLHoops pic.twitter.com/LbQDt23Pg2
— RecruitLook Hoops (@RL_Hoops) April 9, 2022
Small School Game on the Big Stage
Last month 2025 guard Cal Furnish Cal Furnish 5'11" | PG Crossings Christian | 2025 State OK and 2024 forward Luke Gray Luke Gray 6'7" | PF Oklahoma Christian | 2024 State OK were both producing for their high schools as their made runs to the Class 4A and Class 3A State Semifinals respectively. This weekend was more proof that no matter the competition level, the skill and desire that Oklahoma prospects show at the smaller levels does translate in the level jump to national grassroots.
The physical Luke Gray Luke Gray 6'7" | PF Oklahoma Christian | 2024 State OK had a monstrous 30 point and 12 rebound stat line in the 17U division of the Recruit Look. While the crafty and shifty Furnish, had a big game about Nebraska Supreme.
Highlights against Nebraska Supreme UAA. 24 points 5 assists @BuddyBuckets @NXTPROHoopsOK pic.twitter.com/9BymsRdlLN
— Cal Furnish (@CalFurnish) April 12, 2022
Tulsa Hawks – UA Rise, Indianapolis
Adonis Holiman Adonis Holiman 5'8" | PG Atoka | 2024 State OK commits to Texas A&M Commerce
Players love to claim offers on twitter, but often there is little follow through by the player or college and the “offer” magically disappears by the time a player looks to commit in the fall of their senior year. That’s not the case here, as the Holiman family clearly values college interest while acknowledging the chaotic nature of college basketball recruiting. Each college program is recruiting similar players from all over the country and prospects often hurt themselves by slow playing the process.
After a weekend in Indianapolis playing with the Hawks’ 16U team, the sharpshooting McAlester standout decided commit to Texas A&M Commerce, a Division 2 program transitioning to Division 1. Similar to his older brother Adante Holiman Adante Holiman 6'0" | PG McAlester | 2022 State #224 Nation OK headed to UT Rio Grande Valley, this appears to be a great developmental and level fit for Adonis. Taking advantage of this opportunity gives the developing guard the opportunity to work towards a concrete outcome and takes away a lot of the uncertainty that can hinder the growth of prospects. Look for the Class of 2024 guard to start putting up big numbers akin to his older brother for McAlester this winter.
100% Committed!💙💛@FutureStars_Ok @angiemaeholiman @Coach_Rose1 @Lion_MBB @TulsaHawks pic.twitter.com/aWk9cuMvBE
— Adonis Holiman (@AdonisHoliman) April 11, 2022
Sharpshooting Cincotta
The Edmond Santa Fe Class of 2023 guard has more to his game than just shooting by the ability to stretch the floor and fill it up from deep. But the top value he’ll bring as a prospect is the fact that he can get hot from beyond the arc in a hurry. This was shown when Cincotta opened the event with a 19 point performance where he hit 5 three pointers. Cincotta and Seth Pratt Seth Pratt 6'3" | SG Memorial | 2023 State OK give the Hawks two big time floor spacers.
Oklahoma Impact 4:13 – GASO – Dallas
It was a very successful weekend for the rebranded Oklahoma Basketball Club, that is now associated with the Under Armour circuit team, Texas Impact 4:13. Their 17U group went undefeated in showcase games at the highest level of the GASO, including the game winner from Edmond Santa Fe guard, Kaysen Gipson Kaysen Gipson 5'10" | PG Edmond Santa Fe | 2023 State OK (shown below). While their 16U and 15U won brackets in their age groups.
Along with Gipson, the 17U team has a three priority targets for regional small colleges. All around scoring 6’2 guard, Jordan England Jordan England 6'2" | CG Carl Albert | 2023 State OK from Carl Albert. Percy Green Percy Green 6'4" | SF Del City | 2023 State OK , a tough and versatile jump shooting wing at 6 foot 5. And the athletic, defensive dynamo Breylon Owens Breylon Owens 6'4" | SG Anadarko | 2023 State OK , a 6 foot 4 guard from Anadarko.
He called game @kaysen_gipson 🚨🚨 #GASO #GASOopen1 @OkImpact413 pic.twitter.com/HeP1MC8zrR
— CentralTXProspects (@Centex_Recruits) April 14, 2022
Oklahoma Rogue – GASO – Dallas
They suffered their first loss of the spring, but still went 3-1 on the weekend. Giving them a great account of themselves against top Texas competition. In one win, Westmoore 2023 guard Evan Barber Evan Barber 6'1" | CG Westmoore | 2023 State OK scored 22 points on 9-16 shooting. With a strong frame and high skill level, Barber fits into a similar type of college prospect as the previously mentioned Sebastian Perry Sebastian Perry 6'1" | PG Heritage Hall | 2023 State OK , Caison Cole and Jordan England Jordan England 6'2" | CG Carl Albert | 2023 State OK .
While the play possibly enjoying the biggest breakout for the Rogue this summer, Carter Hjelmstad Carter Hjelmstad 6'5" | SF Edmond Memorial | 2023 State OK continued to make waves. With more offensive responsibility, the 6 foot 5 2023 combo forward is relishing it by often scoring in the double figures and putting his hard hat on to earn trips to the line. Where he makes the free throws count, over the weekend he had a 11-11 shooting performance from the line.
#GASOOpen1@HjelmstadCarter – @BasketballRogue – Edmond Memorial
• Solid footwork in the post
• Finishes through contact
• Attacks offensive glass #GASO | Everyone’s Big Stage pic.twitter.com/g3Zv1lSvAP— TexasHoops/GASO (@TexasHoopsGASO) April 9, 2022