2026 Recruiting Class and Commitments (Bell/Murray/Höllerl signed)

[Soonercuda]

 

[Soonerguy06]

I think JB needs an influx of cash badly in order to successfully land decent transfer players for next season. we pursued 4 good transfers (Rodriguez - Iowa, Smith - Virginia, Mwenentanda - Vandy, and Kneepkins - UCLA) that i know of this last offseason and we didn't land any of them, so i wonder if it's about money, or just not a good fit, or something else. My bet is on NIL $$$

 

[Bball121]

Whatever it is, we have to have a great portal season. We can’t let Chavez’s talent go to waste here.

 

[SoonerTalk405]

After this season, I think we will need to get at least 1 to 2 guards and a Big or two.

Probably two bigs more then anything. I think we are fine at the guard area next season.

 

[SoonerTalk405]

Because we have Leelee Bells who plays like a guard that is 6’3, Vienna Murray who is a 6’1 guard, Sina Höllerl that is also a 6ft guard coming in next season.

Then we have Aaliyah, Zya, Keziah, Caya and Sahara coming back next season. If everything goes as planned and expected. We truly just need 1 experienced guard and probably two bigs out of the portal.

 

[Tom4OU]

We have to find a center next season. We have enough guards, but one more with experience will be great. I would think if I were a center, Oklahoma would be tempting with their assists numbers and immediate opportunity. My concern is we spent so much on Chavez, we can’t compete right now financially. Maybe someone big can come through. I know it’s a rumor mill out here, but I did hear we didn’t have funding to outbid for Kneepkins. Is that still a concern?
Also, somebody pour some whiskey in Drizzles Cheerios. I know I’m new here, but they are a downer.

 

[jdizzle34]

We have to find a center next season. We have enough guards, but one more with experience will be great. I would think if I were a center, Oklahoma would be tempting with their assists numbers and immediate opportunity. My concern is we spent so much on Chavez, we can’t compete right now financially. Maybe someone big can come through. I know it’s a rumor mill out here, but I did hear we didn’t have funding to outbid for Kneepkins. Is that still a concern?
Also, somebody pour some whiskey in Drizzles Cheerios. I know I’m new here, but they are a downer.

Centers cost money.

 

[SoonerTalk405]

We have to find a center next season. We have enough guards, but one more with experience will be great. I would think if I were a center, Oklahoma would be tempting with their assists numbers and immediate opportunity. My concern is we spent so much on Chavez, we can’t compete right now financially. Maybe someone big can come through. I know it’s a rumor mill out here, but I did hear we didn’t have funding to outbid for Kneepkins. Is that still a concern?
Also, somebody pour some whiskey in Drizzles Cheerios. I know I’m new here, but they are a downer.

The Kneepkens part is very much false. I don’t know who told you that but that definitely isn’t why we loss out on Kneepkens. It had a LOT to do with UCLA coach Cori Close knew her former HC that she played under at Utah, that is NOW the HC for the LA Sparks WNBA team. UCLA NIL deal is not great whatsoever. Apparently the LA Sparks HC had a lot to do with Kneepkens going to UCLA. Thats why it took her so long to commit. It came down to UCLA and Oklahoma.

But honestly Im fine with Kneepkens at UCLA. Just one less senior we do not have to worry about losing after this season.

 

[Tom4OU]

That’s relieving to know! And makes much more sense. Maybe one of these centers sitting on a bench will be enticed to come if we make a good run this year!

 

[bob the nailer]

Don't sleep on Brooklyn Stewart, she is raw but has a lot of athletic ability and if you see her standing next to Beers there isn't much difference. Maybe she will grow an inch or two before next year who knows.

 

[cowboysooner]

Like you Bob, I thought Stewart really looked good last night and showed some skill I hadn't seen before. She is going to be a good one.

 

[Tom4OU]

Don't sleep on Brooklyn Stewart, she is raw but has a lot of athletic ability and if you see her standing next to Beers there isn't much difference. Maybe she will grow an inch or two before next year who knows.

Definitely. Would just like a center to go with her. Stewart has really impressed me!

 

[SoonerTalk405]

Don't sleep on Brooklyn Stewart, she is raw but has a lot of athletic ability and if you see her standing next to Beers there isn't much difference. Maybe she will grow an inch or two before next year who knows.

Brooklyn was very good in aau and HS. She has a pretty good midrange game. Im not sure why she really hasn’t tried to go to the midrange as much. I notice she went to it a little more this last game. She’s a 3 level scorer. If we can get her to start scoring more she’s gonna be tough. I think she does good on defense already for a freshman. And her wingspan looks so LONG! I think Stewart is going to be one that honestly can be special by January, she’s a learner and you can tell she wants to know everything, Along with Keziah and Emma.

Also When I saw Brooklyn was defending that one small quick guard the other night, I was AMAZED on how quick Stewart moves. She can move and defend a quick small guard pretty damn well. I also notice Jennie has been playing Brooklyn at the 4 a LOT. Or every now and than at the 5 but mostly she has been playing the 4.

 

[Tom4OU]

Brooklyn was very good in aau and HS. She has a pretty good midrange game. Im not sure why she really hasn’t tried to go to the midrange as much. I notice she went to it a little more this last game. She’s a 3 level scorer. If we can get her to start scoring more she’s gonna be tough. I think she does good on defense already for a freshman. And her wingspan looks so LONG! I think Stewart is going to be one that honestly can be special by January, she’s a learner and you can tell she wants to know everything, Along with Keziah and Emma.

Also When I saw Brooklyn was defending that one small quick guard the other night, I was AMAZED on how quick Stewart moves. She can move and defend a quick small guard pretty damn well. I also notice Jennie has been playing Brooklyn at the 4 a LOT. Or every now and than at the 5 but mostly she has been playing the 4.

Agree with all you said. I can see the freshmen in all 3 of them, in regards to big eyes and overthinking. But, I can also see they are used to playing tough competition already. Very excited to watch them get comfortable out there.

 

[Soonerguy06]

Our freshmen have impressed me as well. It's probably the best freshmen class we've had in a while when it comes to athleticism and defensive ability. I also really hope we can grab a center out of the portal, otherwise we're going to rely on Stewart and the incoming freshman Bell (6'2 or 6'3) and that's it. I'm fairly certain we'll add someone. I'd also like to see us replace Verhulst somehow, whether that be adding 1 or 2 veteran guards, even if they're midmajor kids.

 

[SoonerTalk405]

Our freshmen have impressed me as well. It's probably the best freshmen class we've had in a while when it comes to athleticism and defensive ability. I also really hope we can grab a center out of the portal, otherwise we're going to rely on Stewart and the incoming freshman Bell (6'2 or 6'3) and that's it. I'm fairly certain we'll add someone. I'd also like to see us replace Verhulst somehow, whether that be adding 1 or 2 veteran guards, even if they're midmajor kids.

I definitely think we are going after a big in the portal this coming offseason. And probably a guard or two. I think we will go after two or 3 players out of the portal, with a Big being a main focus.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Looked at some videos.
Bell is one inch shorter than Beers but is quicker and a better shooter than Beers and a better ball handler. Of course that may not carry over at the next level. Only time will tell. If so we will have an outstanding power forward and a good enough center. She also seems to have very good hands as does Beers. I am also impressed with Stewart's progress but we need to get another big. Cissoko is tall enough but still pretty unknown with the few minutes she has played.

I was even more impressed with Murray. Great offensive skills and she can also jump. That is one of the things that separated Paige Bueckers and JuJu from others. Since most of what I saw was highlights so I didn't get much of a read on their rebounding and defense. Saw the Austrian girl in a 3on3 and didn't see anything special there. But Baranczyk usually recruits players who can compete at the Div I level. Like our current frosh a lot. A year of experience and putting on a little more muscle will make quite a bit of difference. I think Lofton and Stewart are emerging pretty strong and Tolan seems to be solid.

Saw Texas pretty well dominate UCLA. I think Harmon must have had a career night.

 

[Tom4OU]

Looked at some videos.
Bell is one inch shorter than Beers but is quicker and a better shooter than Beers and a better ball handler. Of course that may not carry over at the next level. Only time will tell. If so we will have an outstanding power forward and a good enough center. She also seems to have very good hands as does Beers. I am also impressed with Stewart's progress but we need to get another big. Cissoko is tall enough but still pretty unknown with the few minutes she has played.

I was even more impressed with Murray. Great offensive skills and she can also jump. That is one of the things that separated Paige Bueckers and JuJu from others. Since most of what I saw was highlights so I didn't get much of a read on their rebounding and defense. Saw the Austrian girl in a 3on3 and didn't see anything special there. But Baranczyk usually recruits players who can compete at the Div I level. Like our current frosh a lot. A year of experience and putting on a little more muscle will make quite a bit of difference. I think Lofton and Stewart are emerging pretty strong and Tolan seems to be solid.

Saw Texas pretty well dominate UCLA. I think Harmon must have had a career night.

Is Bell good strength wise? Can’t tell from the picture, but she looks strong. Of course, they’ll make her stronger, but just curious.

 

[Soonerguy06]

Looked at some videos.
Bell is one inch shorter than Beers but is quicker and a better shooter than Beers and a better ball handler. Of course that may not carry over at the next level. Only time will tell. If so we will have an outstanding power forward and a good enough center. She also seems to have very good hands as does Beers. I am also impressed with Stewart's progress but we need to get another big. Cissoko is tall enough but still pretty unknown with the few minutes she has played.

I was even more impressed with Murray. Great offensive skills and she can also jump. That is one of the things that separated Paige Bueckers and JuJu from others. Since most of what I saw was highlights so I didn't get much of a read on their rebounding and defense. Saw the Austrian girl in a 3on3 and didn't see anything special there. But Baranczyk usually recruits players who can compete at the Div I level. Like our current frosh a lot. A year of experience and putting on a little more muscle will make quite a bit of difference. I think Lofton and Stewart are emerging pretty strong and Tolan seems to be solid.

Saw Texas pretty well dominate UCLA. I think Harmon must have had a career night.

that's promising about Murray. I think one of the things that makes Booker at UT so good is she has a great midrange jumper. Same with Rori Harmon. We have a couple girls right now that take jumpers occasionally, but i'd like to see that happen more. Beers gets double teamed mostly and our shooting from deep isn't always the best, so we need to be able to rely consistently on that jumper. Hope all of the incoming players next season can contribute immediately. I also really hope we can hang on to every player and not lose anyone to the portal, which is becoming more difficult for everyone these days.