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Source LinkBy Joey Helmer
Staff Writer
Posted Jun 29, 2009
Former OU forward Blake Griffin, who decided to forego his final two seasons at OU after an Elite Eight loss against North Carolina, became the first ever player to be selected No. 1 overall in the Thursday’s NBA Draft, and therefore Sooners Illustrated is set to bring a series of coverage on Griffin in the next few days.
This first part includes a timeline from Griffin’s past to present.
March 2005—Named to “Little All-City All-State” team
By his sophomore year, he was already starting to dominate at Oklahoma Christian School, averaging 13.6 points per game in what was, at the time, his last season with brother Taylor before his arrival at OU.
March 2006—Name Player of the Year by The Oklahoman
In the first year of his brother’s absence, he took over the club, averaging a double-double, 21.7 points per game and 12.5 rebounds per game.
May 13, 2006—Decided to don the crimson and cream
In midst of all the Kelvin Sampson turmoil, he committed to joining his brother and the Sooners and ultimately helping to rebuild the newly Capel-led program.
Sept. 8, 2006—Made official campus visit
Prior to his senior season, he stepped onto the campus for the first official time as a commit to OU.
March 10, 2007—Played final high school game
Griffin and the Saints won the state championship against current OSU guard Keiton Page and his Pawnee club. The championship completed a career of four straight state titles, as he averaged nearly 27 points per game and 15.1 rebounds per game his senior season.
March 28, 2007—Competed in McDonald’s All-American Game
Griffin wasn’t exactly a standout in the game, scoring only four points, while racking up five rebounds, but he played 16 minutes in the West’s 114-112 victory over the East.
Nov. 8, 2007—Shined in his first regular season game
It was a debut to remember, as Griffin led the Sooners over San Francisco University, scoring 18 points and recording 13 rebounds.
Jan. 14, 2008—Injured at Allen Fieldhouse
There are several arenas all basketball players dream of playing in while growing up. For Griffin, like many others, KU’s Allen Fieldhouse was one of them. Unfortunately, five minutes into the game Griffin suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury that sidelined him for the rest of that game and another.
April 9, 2008—Announced his return to OU
For one more year, OU fans could breathe a sigh of relief, as the man that averaged 14.7 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game in his freshman season let Sooner Nation know he would return for his sophomore season.
Nov. 18, 2008—Two All-Americans squared off
While they didn’t play the same position, it was a ticket to get when Davidson’s Stephen Curry came into Lloyd Noble Center to battle Griffin. Curry outscored Griffin 44-25, but the Sooners prevailed 82-78 in the end.
Feb. 14, 2009—He became ‘The Terminator’
He scorched Texas Tech for 40 points and 23 rebounds in a 21-point blowout, and Texas Tech head coach Pat Knight called him ‘The Terminator’ following his brilliant performance.
“Have you guys ever seen the movie ‘The Terminator?’ That’s what that kid is like. That kid has no facial expressions. He just plays, and it’s like every kid out there on him is like Sarah Connor, and he’s just going to take his time and kill him.”—Pat Knight
March 19, 2009—Suffered The ‘Ameer Flip’
With the game out of reach and tempers flaring in an opening round NCAA Tournament gamed, Morgan State’s Ameer Ali flipped Griffin and body slammed him to the ground, but Griffin simply walked away.
March 29, 2009—Played his final game at OU
Forward Tyler Hansbrough and the rest of the North Carolina Tar Heels were too much for Griffin and OU in a 72-60 defeat.
April 7, 2009—Announced he was leaving OU
Sooner Nation wasn’t so lucky this time around as Griffin said he was set to enter the NBA Draft.
June 25, 2009—Selected No. 1 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers confirmed what most people believed in that Griffin would be the first pick in the 2009 draft, and now he can focus on the next step in his career
Staff Writer
Posted Jun 29, 2009
Former OU forward Blake Griffin, who decided to forego his final two seasons at OU after an Elite Eight loss against North Carolina, became the first ever player to be selected No. 1 overall in the Thursday’s NBA Draft, and therefore Sooners Illustrated is set to bring a series of coverage on Griffin in the next few days.
This first part includes a timeline from Griffin’s past to present.
March 2005—Named to “Little All-City All-State” team
By his sophomore year, he was already starting to dominate at Oklahoma Christian School, averaging 13.6 points per game in what was, at the time, his last season with brother Taylor before his arrival at OU.
March 2006—Name Player of the Year by The Oklahoman
In the first year of his brother’s absence, he took over the club, averaging a double-double, 21.7 points per game and 12.5 rebounds per game.
May 13, 2006—Decided to don the crimson and cream
In midst of all the Kelvin Sampson turmoil, he committed to joining his brother and the Sooners and ultimately helping to rebuild the newly Capel-led program.
Sept. 8, 2006—Made official campus visit
Prior to his senior season, he stepped onto the campus for the first official time as a commit to OU.
March 10, 2007—Played final high school game
Griffin and the Saints won the state championship against current OSU guard Keiton Page and his Pawnee club. The championship completed a career of four straight state titles, as he averaged nearly 27 points per game and 15.1 rebounds per game his senior season.
March 28, 2007—Competed in McDonald’s All-American Game
Griffin wasn’t exactly a standout in the game, scoring only four points, while racking up five rebounds, but he played 16 minutes in the West’s 114-112 victory over the East.
Nov. 8, 2007—Shined in his first regular season game
It was a debut to remember, as Griffin led the Sooners over San Francisco University, scoring 18 points and recording 13 rebounds.
Jan. 14, 2008—Injured at Allen Fieldhouse
There are several arenas all basketball players dream of playing in while growing up. For Griffin, like many others, KU’s Allen Fieldhouse was one of them. Unfortunately, five minutes into the game Griffin suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury that sidelined him for the rest of that game and another.
April 9, 2008—Announced his return to OU
For one more year, OU fans could breathe a sigh of relief, as the man that averaged 14.7 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game in his freshman season let Sooner Nation know he would return for his sophomore season.
Nov. 18, 2008—Two All-Americans squared off
While they didn’t play the same position, it was a ticket to get when Davidson’s Stephen Curry came into Lloyd Noble Center to battle Griffin. Curry outscored Griffin 44-25, but the Sooners prevailed 82-78 in the end.
Feb. 14, 2009—He became ‘The Terminator’
He scorched Texas Tech for 40 points and 23 rebounds in a 21-point blowout, and Texas Tech head coach Pat Knight called him ‘The Terminator’ following his brilliant performance.
“Have you guys ever seen the movie ‘The Terminator?’ That’s what that kid is like. That kid has no facial expressions. He just plays, and it’s like every kid out there on him is like Sarah Connor, and he’s just going to take his time and kill him.”—Pat Knight
March 19, 2009—Suffered The ‘Ameer Flip’
With the game out of reach and tempers flaring in an opening round NCAA Tournament gamed, Morgan State’s Ameer Ali flipped Griffin and body slammed him to the ground, but Griffin simply walked away.
March 29, 2009—Played his final game at OU
Forward Tyler Hansbrough and the rest of the North Carolina Tar Heels were too much for Griffin and OU in a 72-60 defeat.
April 7, 2009—Announced he was leaving OU
Sooner Nation wasn’t so lucky this time around as Griffin said he was set to enter the NBA Draft.
June 25, 2009—Selected No. 1 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers confirmed what most people believed in that Griffin would be the first pick in the 2009 draft, and now he can focus on the next step in his career
