Frank Booker

[ben]

is the next Kelly Newton and this game was 1999 Bedlam (last game in the old gallagher-iba). Same kind of kick in the nuts for THE PREDICTED BIG 12 CHAMPS.

BOOMER

 

[pnkranger]

The things I like about Booker is the same thing I like about the other guards we brought in last year. He's got the athleticism/physical ability to get MUCH better, he's already got a skill or two to hang his hat on, and he WANTS to get so much better.

In his junior year, we are going to be a juggernaut on the perimeter (especially if we can get a true PG to back up Woodard).

 

[WTSooner]

I think Booker will be better than Newton.

 

[Salt City Sooner]

WHO PUT THAT 5'9" CREAMSICLE BEHIND ME????

 

[Tundrasooner]

I think Booker will be better than Newton.

If Newton doesn't tear his knee up then I disagree.

 

[perryj74]

Frank is the player I'm most excited about on this team. We see flashes now of what he could be which is an all-conference type player.

 

[furge]

If we're talking about untapped potential, I think it's a neck-and-neck race between Booker and Cousins. Both those guys will be holy terrors on from 3 and on defense if they get to their respective ceilings. Cousins has the head start and we see more flashes from him. I think he wins on physical tools and Booker wins on basketball skills (maybe minus ballhandling).

With Cam and Buddy both looking at times like pro ballplayers, I won't say either Frank or Isaiah has the highest total ceiling on this team. But if I'm wrong about that, we are gonna LOVE the next three years.

 

[WTSooner]

Frank's biggest obstacle to achieving something that stands out is going to be playing time. OU is stacked at the guard positions. And most of the guys ahead of him are a year older.

I don't think Cousins will ever shoot it as well as Booker, and that is fine. If we could combine them into one player, we'd have a 1st team all Big 12 type guard.

 

[CoachTalk]

I think some are selling Frank short. His "rankings"/"stars" were the same as Cousins coming out of college.
We got him late but still a good prospect.

 

[WTSooner]

I think some are selling Frank short. His "rankings"/"stars" were the same as Cousins coming out of college.
We got him late but still a good prospect.

I think ESPN had Cousins rated higher.

Just checked, and they gave Cousins a 2* rating, and an 85 grade. They gave Booker a 3* rating, and a grade of 70.

I think those stars must be wrong, but the ratings are more in line with what I remember seeing.

 

[CoachTalk]

Comp Scout Rivals ESPN
Star Rating 2.7★ 0-★ 3★ 3★- Booker
Star Rating 2.7★ 3★ 3★ 2★ - Cousins

 

[jerry]

I think Booker will be better than Newton.

Agree.

 

[jaymOU]

Booker is better than Newton. With or without the knee injury. Kelly was predomiately a 3-point shooter - albiet a good one. Booker has shown flashes of finishing at the rim and some defensive ability. Remember Newton was a JC transfer and was two-years older than Booker during their initial OU campaign. If you think about Booker in two years - if he has the Hield/Cousins work ethic - I think you are looking at a potential starter, which Newton really never was. Booker needs to work on his handles and needs to really learn to go left. His shot is really pure, but if he gets a mid-range game he could be deadly on offense.

The real question is where does he fit. Can't beat out Buddy, but I think he could challenge Cousins for minutes / starting role. Wow if Woodard, Cousins, Heild, Booker and Hornbeak are all here two years from now - OU could be incredible on the wings. That kind of talent could take a team on a deep tournament run.

 

[sooner 1234]

Booker reminds me of more of Cade Davis , of the more recent players. Both are pure shooters, and both have deceptive speed/moves. Both are very smooth , and always seem to be in control and make heady plays.
Davis did a ton of the little things that maybe not be in the box score, same with Booker.Its obvious hes a coaches son.

 

[WTSooner]

Booker is better than Newton. With or without the knee injury. Kelly was predomiately a 3-point shooter - albiet a good one.

I don't remember how good Kelly was, but Kelly was more than a three point shooter coming out of junior college. There was talk that he could have been one of Kelvin's better scoring guards before the injury. I can't remember if he hurt it before he got to campus, or during his junior year, but he redshirted that first year at OU to rehab the knee. I remember he had a pretty explosive dunk late in his senior year, and that kind of showed what kind of athleticism he had before the injury. I remember that Kelvin was really high on the kid though.

But I think Booker has that same kind of talent. A lot of folks on here like the family, DNA stuff, well like they said on tv during the osu game, Booker's dad was a pretty good college bball player back in the day.

 

[WTSooner]

Somebody go find Newton's junior college stats. I'm not sure where to look. I think they were pretty impressive though.

 

[Sooner04]

http://newsok.com/ou-hoopsters-lose-newton-to-knee-injury/article/2631763

Google is a wonderful thing.

The injury robbed him of the quickness he brought in from the JUCO ranks. I remember Kelley wanted to go to KU in the worst way, but they didn't have a spot for him. That made his marksmanship against the chickenhawks in the 2001 Big 12 semis all the more sweeter.

 

[perryj74]

I don't get why people think Cade Davis was a pure shooter. I get it he was white and well if you're white you're supposed to be a shooter but Davis was anything but a pure shooter. Booker is already a better shooter than Cade ever was.

 

[CoachTalk]

I don't get why people think Cade Davis was a pure shooter. I get it he was white and well if you're white you're supposed to be a shooter but Davis was anything but a pure shooter. Booker is already a better shooter than Cade ever was.

Cade Davis was a pure shooter. He was at Elk city. He could flat shoot it. He did other things as well though.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

His role was a pure shooter but I don't think he played that role very well