Stevie Clark to Prep School

This kid's ultimate goal is the NBA and to my understanding he feels like he has to put himself in a position to be an elite player to make it there. This prep school is supposedly suppose to help him reach his goals.

This is not a new scenario, it's just new to Oklahoma. Kids all over the country go to prep schools there Senior year.

If you look at OU players like A'Math, Fitzgerald, Hield, Hornbeak, and Steve Pledger all played at Prep Schools. The shocking thing about this school is it's not as well known as some of the other schools he considered.


Thank you Will for shedding some insight into this situation. I wonder if guys like Ronnell Lewis had their parents criticized??? it's obvious OU was just a stepping stone and a neccesary evil to get to where he wanted to go, which is the NFL.......

I doubt many here know Stevie's mother or her intentions. We just finished praising an entire team of female gymnast who by all accounts have had their lives altered, and many childhood norms removed because their parents saw them as eite gymnast.

Those girls don't attend "regular schools", and most have nothing close to a normal childhood, just so they can achieve gold someday, and the endorsements which follow.

As you said every school gets kids who went to prep school to better their standing in the nat'l spotlight. You also gave real examples of Sooner players who went the same route as Stevie appears to be going. It may be a new concept here, but East CXoast ballers have used the prep school route for decades. I believe the big school in Virginia was one of the 1st. Can't recall the name right off hand, Mouth of the River Virginia or something like that. Their list of former players NOT from Virginia is like a HS hall of fame....
 
I doubt many here know Stevie's mother or her intentions. We just finished praising an entire team of female gymnast who by all accounts have had their lives altered, and many childhood norms removed because their parents saw them as eite gymnast.

Those girls don't attend "regular schools", and most have nothing close to a normal childhood, just so they can achieve gold someday, and the endorsements which follow.

Apples and oranges.....
 
Here is a list of the "headcases" who went to Oak Hill in Virginia to better their hoops standing:


Pe'Shon Howard, currently plays for the University of Maryland [2]
Marco Porcher Jimenez (first player from Spain on team), currently plays for Florida International University
Keith Hornsby (son of Grammy Award winner Bruce Hornsby), currently plays for UNC-Asheville
Juwan Staten, currently plays for West Virginia University
Chris Brown, currently plays for Oregon State University[3]
Eric Devendorf, former player at Syracuse University and a 2006–07 All-Big East Honorable Mention selection.
Keith Gallon, played one year at Oklahoma University
Jamont Gordon, former standout player at Mississippi State University
Justin Gray, standout player at Wake Forest University.
Sean Green,[4] played at Iona College and briefly in the NBA
Venson Hamilton, standout player at University of Nebraska
Lamont Jones, currently plays for the University of Arizona Wildcats
Baye Moussa Keita, currently plays for Syracuse University
Doron Lamb, McDonald's All-American, professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks
Alex Legion, college basketball player at Florida International University, University of Kentucky and University of Illinois. Coming out of high school, he originally signed with University of Michigan. He started out at Detroit Country Day School before he transferred to Oak Hill
K.C. Rivers, college basketball player for Clemson University
Travis Watson, standout player at University of Virginia.
Anthony Wright, former player at University of Michigan
DayShawn Wright, played at Syracuse University; #1 overall pick in the 2006 CBA draft
Rashaad Carruth, former standout player at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Curtis Staples, went onto UVA was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1998. Staples is best known for holding the all-time NCAA record for career three-point field goals, at 413, held for eight years.
Juwan Staten, Current player at the University of Dayton, Part of the 2010-2011 Atlantic 10 All Rookie team.
Roscoe Smith, currently player for the University of Connecticut
Thomas Hill (played for Duke; won two national championships; was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the second round; Hill's father is Olympic bronze medalist hurdler Thomas Hill.

NBA players

Riff "Shins" Carden
Cory Alexander,[4] played at the University of Virginia and in the NBA
Carmelo Anthony,[4] played at Syracuse University; drafted with the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets; won the 2003 NCAA Championship; NBA All-Star for the New York Knicks; attended Towson Catholic High School in Baltimore before attending Oak Hill.
William Avery,[4] former Duke University point guard, and former NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Michael Beasley, (transferred to Notre Dame Prep before graduating); 2007 #1 high school player in the nation according to Rivals.com, 2007 McDonald's All American Game MVP, played at Kansas State University. He was selected 2nd overall by the Miami Heat in the 2008 NBA draft. Currently plays for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA.
Mark Blount, played at the University of Pittsburgh
Alex Blackwell,[4] played at Monmouth College and briefly in the NBA
Steve Blake, played at the University of Maryland, currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA[5]
Junior Burrough,[4] played at the University of Virginia and briefly for the Boston Celtics in the NBA
Ben Davis,[4] played at the University of Arizona and briefly in the NBA
DeSagana Diop,[4] NBA player for the Charlotte Bobcats
Kevin Durant, (transferred to Montrose Christian School before graduating) played at The University of Texas; second overall pick in 2007 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics; MVP of the 2006 McDonald's All American Game; 2007–2008 NBA Rookie of the Year; consensus 2007 player of the year, a first for a freshman; Named to the 2010 NBA All-Star Game as a reserve and to the 2011 NBA All-Star Game as a starting forward[6]
Stephen Jackson,[4] NBA player for the San Antonio Spurs
Brandon Jennings, NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks, selected 10th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. Previously played for Italy's Lottomatica Roma.[7]
Ty Lawson, NBA player on the Denver Nuggets, who played college basketball at the University of North Carolina. He went to Bishop McNamara High School before going to Oak Hill Academy. Lawson was selected 18th overall by Minnesota before being traded to Denver.
Jeff McInnis, played at the University of North Carolina; former NBA player most notably for the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, and the New Jersey Nets before retiring in 2008.[8]
Ron Mercer,[4] played at the University of Kentucky from 1995–1997; played for 7 NBA teams
Rajon Rondo, played at the University of Kentucky; Drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 1st round as the 21st pick in the NBA draft, and was immediately traded to the Boston Celtics. He won the 2008 NBA championship with them and was an All-Star in 2010, 2011 and 2012.[9]
Josh Smith, drafted first round, 17th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2004 NBA Draft. Currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks.[10]
Jerry Stackhouse, played at the University of North Carolina. NBA player with the Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks.[11]
Rod Strickland, played at DePaul University and drafted first round, 19th pick in the 1988 NBA Draft. Went on to play 17 seasons in the NBA most notably for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Washington Wizards before retiring in 2005.[12]
Nolan Smith, played college basketball for Duke University, plays in the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers, only two-time captain for Oak Hill.
Nolan is the son of the late Derek Smith, who starred at the University of Louisville for Denny Crum, and also in the NBA
 
This is a really bad move for Stevie Clark. He is in a great position by just graduating high school and moving on to college. You don't risk eligibility by going to a prep high school that has never existed before. This means it will be highly scrutinized by the NCAA. The point is that it is a big risk that does not need to be taken.

There is a big difference between Oak Hill and this school. If he was going to Findley Prep, I would have a different opinion.
 
Wait, wait. I want to get in on this argument. I'm compiling a list of all the kids that went to prep school that did not make it to the NBA. I'll get back to you guys when it is finished.
 
Ever think these players would have been where they are regardless of where they played one year of high school basketball? I have a difficult time believing one year of high school basketball makes a significant impact on their playing careers.
 
Ever think these players would have been where they are regardless of where they played one year of high school basketball? I have a difficult time believing one year of high school basketball makes a significant impact on their playing careers.

EXACTLY!

Clark isn't going to be a better bball player after this.
 
Ever think these players would have been where they are regardless of where they played one year of high school basketball? I have a difficult time believing one year of high school basketball makes a significant impact on their playing careers.

Very possible Ty. The point is every player/parent has the right to decide. Do 1wk summer camps really make players better??


I doubt there are any scientific studies that can truly gage how much 1 yr of anything improves a player.

Will gave a couple of other reasons why the move may be happening. My entire point was OUr fans sound like pokes when we bash akid/parent for making a move we disagree with.

Interesting no one replied to Will's list of Sooners here from prep school.
 
EXACTLY!

Clark isn't going to be a better bball player after this.

Hahaha. I love how u speak in absolutes, as if u saying it makes it 100% true. Truth is, u, me, or anyone else doesnt know the impact, good or bad.

I wish stevie the best. Kid can ball, & i still hope he lands in norman.
 
Very possible Ty. The point is every player/parent has the right to decide. Do 1wk summer camps really make players better??


I doubt there are any scientific studies that can truly gage how much 1 yr of anything improves a player.

Will gave a couple of other reasons why the move may be happening. My entire point was OUr fans sound like pokes when we bash akid/parent for making a move we disagree with.

Interesting no one replied to Will's list of Sooners here from prep school.

You're absolutely correct that players/parents have the right to decide what to do. I also wish SC the best and hope he becomes a Sooner! IMO, we've had players from both sides and they both have been successful and not so successful. I guess I'm a little more traditional in my thinking. I hope it helps make him a better player.
 
You're absolutely correct that players/parents have the right to decide what to do. I also wish SC the best and hope he becomes a Sooner! IMO, we've had players from both sides and they both have been successful and not so successful. I guess I'm a little more traditional in my thinking. I hope it helps make him a better player.

I actually fall decidedly on the side of traditional thinker. :p:p

I really don't like the new age amateur athletics model, dominated by AAU coaches, slickly created tournaments, and back room deals between handlers and universities. I guess my whole reason for even posting in the thread, was I didn't want Stevie ripped for doing something so many are led to do these days.......

I always enjoy your input, and I actually agree with your beliefs on this subject.
 
Kid wants to play against the best, I applaud him for wanting that challenge.
 
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