Capel signs Neal to letter of intent >>> SoonerSports.com

[OUHoops]

http://soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041610aag.html

Capel Signs Neal to Letter of Intent

Forward from Oklahoma City is state's player of the year.

April 16, 2010
NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Jeff Capel announced today the signing of in-state product Tyler Neal to a national letter of intent.

Neal, a 6-7, 220-pound forward from Putnam City West High School in Oklahoma City, is the reigning Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year. He averaged 18.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in helping the Patriots to a school-record 22 wins and to the Class 6A state tournament semifinals. It was West's first state tournament appearance since 1977.

"Tyler's a really good player," said Capel. "He's skilled, he's a really good athlete, he can shoot the basketball, can pass it and is a pretty good ball handler. I think he has a big upside. He skipped a grade when he was younger and so he just turned 17 years old. I think there's a chance he's going to continue growing.

"On top of having a very high basketball I.Q., he's a great kid, a really good student and comes from a great family. He's the kind of guy we want in our program and we're excited about what he can become at OU."

As a senior, Neal shot .557 from the field, .421 from 3-point range (45-for-107) and .785 from the free throw line (95-for-121). He added 1.4 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per contest.

Neal joins fellow high school seniors Cameron Clark and T.J. Taylor as members of OU's 2010 recruiting class. Clark, a 6-6 wing from Sherman, Texas, is rated No. 30 nationally by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Taylor, a 6-3 combo guard from Denison, Texas, is rated No. 78 nationally by ESPN.com and No. 91 by Scout.com.

 

[lmg088]

"Tyler's a really good player," said Capel. "He's skilled, he's a really good athlete, he can shoot the basketball, can pass it and is a pretty good ball handler. I think he has a big upside. He skipped a grade when he was younger and so he just turned 17 years old. I think there's a chance he's going to continue growing.


I haven't seen this mentioned any where else, but I didn't realize he was this young.

 

[Krugerfan52]

The bad thing about being so young is that it will be tough for him to hang in with the older players in the Big 12. The good thing is that he will most likely improve quite a big the next few years.

 

[qwertyqaz]

honestly, I think physical readiness (or lack thereof) is a lot more important than age--particularly if the individual shows emotional maturity.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

The bad thing about being so young is that it will be tough for him to hang in with the older players in the Big 12. The good thing is that he will most likely improve quite a big the next few years.

Not to mention, there is maybe an inch or two left of growth in there. Could be a kid that is a high D-1 level guy by the time he hits 20 [his sophomore year].

 

[BanjoCharley]

The bad thing about being so young is that it will be tough for him to hang in with the older players in the Big 12. The good thing is that he will most likely improve quite a big the next few years.

So other incoming frosh are 18 so it's tough for this one who is 17? Snort!

 

[MsProudSooner]

So other incoming frosh are 18 so it's tough for this one who is 17? Snort!

More like it can be hard for a freshman who is 17 to compete with juniors & seniors who are 22 or 23.

 

[BanjoCharley]

More like it can be hard for a freshman who is 17 to compete with juniors & seniors who are 22 or 23.

... and it can be hard for a freshman who is 18 to compete with juniors & seniors who are 22 or 23.