Hannes Polla has committed to OU

[AdaSooner]

To be honest, I wasn't overly excited about this kid at first. A commitment over the likes of Penn State and Tulane is not something even a novice college basketball fan will brag about too much.

But, as I continued to think about Hannas Polla's size and the fact that LK wants to turn him into a true, low-post center, I began to warm to the idea. There aren't many 6' 11" 265 recruits out there to choose from these days, especially one who appears to have a huge upside as a shot blocker, rebounder and low post scorer.

I also like the fact that he has been coached by a former NBA player who was a starter for the University of Utah when they played for a national championship several years ago. Coach Mottola was a center, too, which should be a huge plus in Polla's development. I have a feeling that might have been a factor in the decision to make him our big man target in the 2017 class.

If Coach Kruger wants him, count me in!

 

[Stikboy]

Can't remember the last time Lon has had that kind of size at OU besides Manyang. Hope this guy can run the floor and is at least a little athletic.. I'm hoping this part of the article by Evan Daniels is a misprint:

"Hannes felt comfortable that he’ll be able to be a center and not a screener and rebounder"

No comprende. Hopefully there's a "just" missing in there.

 

[cvangild]

We are going to have one WHITE frontcourt in the future! ;-)

 

[Maverick008]

Not that it takes away from it being "Tulane" basketball but if you don't know, this guy was hired in the off season as the next head coach....

http://www.nola.com/tulane/index.ssf/2016/03/mike_dunleavy_sr_ready_to_turn.html

My point is, that's not one but two former NBA head coaches that scouted and recruited this kid and made him an offer. I found it interesting in the article that Dunleavy makes it a point that he has a great recruiting staff that will look far and wide for talent.

Does that mean this kid will be a stud? No, but only time will tell if they indeed found themselves a true bargain at this point.

 

[hoopsaustin]

i love post men. has a great frame. foreigners are usually pretty skilled. i like him more than the Manek get, who im not high on

 

[CoachTalk]

i love post men. has a great frame. foreigners are usually pretty skilled. i like him more than the Manek get, who im not high on

Why no Manek love?

 

[MisterF]

Gives us your thoughts on him coach. I don't know much about him.

 

[KBaden145]

Look forward to seeing video on this kid. Love his dimensions...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cjhsooner]

So while Texas and Kansas are getting 4 and 5 star big men, we get a kid who we beat Tulane for. I hope he turns out well, and I trust Lon (I know, who would have thought). But it seems like a gamble.

 

[sperry]

So while Texas and Kansas are getting 4 and 5 star big men, we get a kid who we beat Tulane for. I hope he turns out well, and I trust Lon (I know, who would have thought). But it seems like a gamble.

That is the reality of OU basketball. If a 5 star recruit isn't from the state of Oklahoma, there is basically no chance we are getting him. Luckily, you don't need 5 star recruits in college basketball.

 

[CoachTalk]

Gives us your thoughts on him coach. I don't know much about him.

6'7-8 Power Foward. Can play the inside, but is thin. He'll be more of a stretch 4 that can go around big guys but post up smaller guys.

Shoots the 3 fairly well. Good skill.

Huge summer with Team Griffin (formerly Athletes first). Played in the EYLB.

Working out with JD Runnels on strength and adding weight to his frame.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Why no Manek love?

Just screams lesser Tyler Neal to me and from games I've seen him in. I hope I'm wrong

 

[Stikboy]

That is the reality of OU basketball. If a 5 star recruit isn't from the state of Oklahoma, there is basically no chance we are getting him. Luckily, you don't need 5 star recruits in college basketball.

Why is that? Why then is Texas able to? They are not near blue blood status. We have equal if not better tradition than they do. We complain about attendance, they are no better. What gives? I'm not disagreeing with you I just don't understand it.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Why is that? Why then is Texas able to? They are not near blue blood status. We have equal if not better tradition than they do. We complain about attendance, they are no better. What gives? I'm not disagreeing with you I just don't understand it.

Remember this article from 2010? How many of their hot recruits come from 'regular' high schools and how many come from basketball 'prep schools'?

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2010-11-10-findlay-prep-texas-recruiting-notes_N.htm

 

[TINY]

Why is that? Why then is Texas able to? They are not near blue blood status. We have equal if not better tradition than they do. We complain about attendance, they are no better. What gives? I'm not disagreeing with you I just don't understand it.

Texas can fashion a full roster of 4* players from their home state alone.

 

[Stikboy]

Texas can fashion a full roster of 4* players from their home state alone.

Yep, but half their 4* the last two classes aren't from Texas.

 

[CoachTalk]

Just screams lesser Tyler Neal to me and from games I've seen him in. I hope I'm wrong

Lesser Tyler Neal? Lol

 

[TINY]

Yep, but half their 4* the last two classes aren't from Texas.

And all of our four stars are out of staters, no?

If we could supplement our out of state talent with a bang load of 4* out of okc and Tulsa then we would have no problem pulling top 10-15 classes consistently.

 

[SoonerSpock]

And all of our four stars are out of staters, no?

If we could supplement our out of state talent with a bang load of 4* out of okc and Tulsa then we would have no problem pulling top 10-15 classes consistently.

No!!! During the last two seasons we have signed three 4* kids. Two were from Oklahioma and one from Katy Seven Lakes, TX (Kameron MCGusty).


2016 SF, 4*, Kristian Doolittle, #123 nationally, Edmond Memorial, OK

http://oklahoma.247sports.com/Season/2016-Basketball/Commits


2017 PF, 4*, Brady Manek, #115 nationally, Harrah, OK

http://oklahoma.247sports.com/Season/2017-Basketball/Commits

During the last two seasons we have signed three 4* kids. Two were from Oklahioma and one SG Kameron McGusty, #42 nationally from Katy Seven Lakes, TX.

Presently our roster has Lattin, Buford, McGusty and Doolittle that were 4* kids. Akolda Manyang no longer with the team was also a 4* JC. 4* Manek (above) will join the team in the fall of 2017.

 

[Darwin]

Welcome Hannes to the Sooner Nation

Also Tyler Neal is a good example of hows kids can develop and contribute on a good team.