Buford

[usedtobe1]

Buford played for Arlington Country Day (ACD) as a junior and senior. He wasn't hurt, and his team won the Independent state championship in 2014. He was originally from South Carolina. Here are some excerpts about his HS play

Buford's high school coach at ACD, Rex Morgan, told SoonerScoop.com what kind of ballplayer committed to OU.

"He's a great kid. He's really matured a lot since he came here," Morgan said. "He's a lot more mature about his game, his work ethic. I think he's got tremendous upside."

Morgan said the first attribute that struck him about Buford was his athleticism.

"He's so athletic," he said. "I mean -- that catches everybody's eye. I think because he's such a great athlete people don't realize that he can really shoot the ball, and he's a very good passer.

"To move out to (small forward) he needs to work on his ball-handling. But he can guard a (small forward) right now, which is very important. He's just got incredible timing, and he jumps so easy."

Morgan said Buford's decision to commit to OU was entirely his, and Morgan supports him.

"Well, it was his decision," Morgan said. "He really felt comfortable with the coaches there, their style of play. That's where he wanted to go. He's the one that has to go to class. He's the one that has to go to practice. Like every player I have, once they make their decision I support it 100 percent."

Buford was honorable mention all-state as a senior but was 2nd team all-state as a junior. Two of the five 1st team members Dante's junior year were Akolda Manyang and Joel Embiid who ended up being the 3rd pick in the 2014 NBA draft. D'Angelo Russell was 3rd team all-state Dante's junior year and later was the #2 pick in the 2015 NBA draft. Tough company.

Rated as the nation's 72nd overall recruit by ESPN, No. 120 by 247Sports and No. 131 by Rivals.com ... Averaged 16.5 ppg and 10.8 rpg as a senior ... An honorable mention pick on the Source Hoops All-Sunshine Independent Athletic Association Team ... An honorable mention selection on the Florida Times-Union's All-First Coast Team ... Helped Arlington Country Day to a 29-5 record and the SIAA league title ... Selected to play in the Florida vs. USA Hardwood Classic in Orlando, Fla. ... Averaged 14.2 points and 9.0 rebounds a game as a junior for the 30-4 Apaches (was a second-team Florida Association of Basketball Coaches Independent All-State selection) ... Coached by Rex Morgan.

I'm not ready to give up on this kid based on his play in 2 exhibition games. There is a reason Kruger and staff have had him running with the 1st team in early practices. Give him a chance to shake off some rust.