Matt Freeman now on campus

[Darwin]

standing with some other players I would say 6'9" in shoes fwiw

 

[Soonerinkc]

Video looks good...can dribble, face up, drive...def more off threat than spang. Now if he can become a rebounder...

 

[jackson_supersooner]

I went back and looked on my DVR to see how he compared to the players on the bench and he really is just as tall as Jamuni. He is standing right beside him on the bench and they are the same height. So I'd say at least 6'9" and possibly 6'10" with shoes.

 

[AdaSooner]

Video looks good...can dribble, face up, drive...def more off threat than spang. Now if he can become a rebounder...

Matt's early arrival will allow him to add some muscle to his 6' 9" frame, work out and bond with his future teammates, and give him a good idea about what to expect when he puts on the sneaks for real ten months from now.

The workout video below and everything I have read about this kid seems to suggest that he has the kind of work ethic to do whatever it takes to improve his game. I think he's going to fit in perfectly with guys like Buddy, Isaiah, Ryan and Jordan, who will take him under their wing and do everything they can to get him ready for the fall season.

The interview at the end of the workout video will tell you a lot about him. He talks about his strengths and weaknesses, and playing the point on his three on three team. The "New Zealand Warrior" dance (or whatever it's called) before the three on three Gold Medal game tips off is interesting to say the least. It's an obvious attempt to intimidate the competition. Matt has his "game face" on. :ez-laugh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzponluUPg8

EDIT: If you don't want to watch the game, New Zealand won the three on three U-18 World Championship. Freeman led the come from behind win by making three straight shots from behind the arc.

 

[slappy in OP]

Thanks for the link Ada.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Give that guy 20+ pounds and i think he could get drafted

 

[garyeb2]

Think about this, we are undefeated since Freeman joined the team.

 

[okienole3]

Was gonna say, based on what I saw at the game he was every bit as tall as Jumuni.

 

[Larry72]

I watched the 3 on 3 video. Matt was not the best player on his team. He made some shots, but his defense needs a lot of work.

 

[CoachTalk]

Give the kid some time. Every recruit isnt an all conf player or NBA pick. Please.

 

[CoachTalk]

His Left hand is impressive.

 

[usedtobe1]

I have to wait and see before making a judgment on the potential impact of Matt Freeman. D1 players are not only bigger, they're quicker. Can Freeman play at that pace? Maybe. I'm hopeful. Heck, I thought Odomes would make a major impact this season because I watched him practice. I still think he will make a big impact next season.

The S&C coach, Bryce Daub, might be able to put good weight on Freeman. He can already shoot. Is he already better than Buford or McNeace? Time will tell. Can Doolittle do things better than Freeman ..... except shoot?

 

[Stikboy]

I'm hoping Doolittle can come in and compete. He can score, rebound, and is pretty physically mature already...

 

[AdaSooner]

I watched the 3 on 3 video. Matt was not the best player on his team. He made some shots, but his defense needs a lot of work.

I can't think of many high school seniors I have seen over the years who didn't need a lot of work on their defense. The same could be said about some of the players I've seen in college, for that matter, including three or four I could name on OU's roster this season.

Defense is almost always a work in progress for most high school kids these days, mainly because they would rather work on shooting three pointers, slick moves to get open for jump shots, or high flying dunks.

No one is saying Matt doesn't have a lot of work to do before he'll be ready to compete at a high level at OU. Even he identified defense as one of his weaknesses during the interview. But a legit 6' 9" kid with good handles and the ability to post up smaller players inside or knock down shots consistently from three point range, will be in the running for quality minutes at OU next year.

All he has to do, at least IMO, is add a few pounds of muscle to his frame and work hard on the biggest obstacles in his way to accomplishing the goals he sets. There is little doubt in my mind he will do just that.

 

[sybarite]

I wonder how many prospects are recruited every year because of their defensive abilities?