Stevie Clark update

[garyeb2]

Clark is one of the best point guards in the country. Whoever isn't high on him is high

Kruger has signed 3 guards. They are all long,athletic, and 6'4. Stevie isn't.
That is my point.

What is he ranked in the 2013 class? 63rd? If Kruger thinks he can use a Drew Lavender type, fine, I hope he gets him. If not, I hope he gets another top 100 guard that he can use.

 

[BigTime]

Clark is one of the best point guards in the country. Whoever isn't high on him is high

Blankenship is that you? (What was that guys other name?)

I'd would love to see OU land Stephen btw...

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Clark is one of the best point guards in the country. Whoever isn't high on him is high

No doubt. He is the recruit I covet the most. It will be disappointing to me if we don't land him. This kid is the truth..........

 

[Capel's Mustache]

Kruger has signed 3 guards. They are all long,athletic, and 6'4. Stevie isn't.
That is my point.

What is he ranked in the 2013 class? 63rd? If Kruger thinks he can use a Drew Lavender type, fine, I hope he gets him. If not, I hope he gets another top 100 guard that he can use.

Quit why you are behind

 

[garyeb2]

Quit why you are behind

I have no idea what you are talking about and what you seem to want to argue about. I'm game. Just explain the topic to me.

What I don't do is get caught up in some breathless, desperate puppy love over some high school ball player. It's Krugers job to get the talent in that he can win with. He is an expert at that. I'm sure he will get it done.

What I do find odd is that some posters would want to lable a prospect as a must have. Then, if the kids goes elsewhere, all of a sudden, the coach had a recruiting failure.

I don't know, and you don't know, what Kruger's real level of interest is in Stevie. For all I know, the staff may think that Cousins is a better college prospect for what they need than Stevie. And you don't know either.

 

[WTSooner]

There is no such thing as a "must get" prospect. And to suggest LK's interest in Clark wasn't real, given the stories that came out when we first got in on him, is probably incorrect as well. At this point, if LK has cooled on Clark, it's b/c Clark has cooled on us. Not because he is short. He was short last year too, and we recruited the heck out of him.

 

[garyeb2]

There is no such thing as a "must get" prospect. And to suggest LK's interest in Clark wasn't real, given the stories that came out when we first got in on him, is probably incorrect as well. At this point, if LK has cooled on Clark, it's b/c Clark has cooled on us. Not because he is short. He was short last year too, and we recruited the heck out of him.

"Must get" isn't my term. It is a description used by other posters multiple times in describing Stevie. Your declaration of what you believe to be Kruger's level of interest is just that. Your assumption. You have no inside information that isn't generally available. And neither do I.

Kelvin did just fine without signing a bunch of hamburger joint allstars. The level that Kelvin's teams occupied looks pretty good right now. I don't really care one way or the other whether Kruger gets him or not. He is no program changing talent like Blake. If he doen't get Clark, he will get another one good enough to win with.

 

[boksooner]

It is not outside the realm of possibility that both Clark and Kruger realized that they weren't a good fit for each other. This happens. It doesn't mean that Kruger didn't think he was a good player and it doesn't mean Clark didn't think Kruger was a good coach. Kruger could easily have found a way to fit Clark into his system and I am sure Clark would have found a way to thrive. Maybe they both realized that Clark would be more successful at another school.

I am not sure why we always feel the need to assess blame in these situations. Either the player wasn't good enough and we passed or the player thought we weren't good enough and passed on us. Those aren't the only two options in these situations.

 

[tycat947]

It is not outside the realm of possibility that both Clark and Kruger realized that they weren't a good fit for each other. This happens. It doesn't mean that Kruger didn't think he was a good player and it doesn't mean Clark didn't think Kruger was a good coach. Kruger could easily have found a way to fit Clark into his system and I am sure Clark would have found a way to thrive. Maybe they both realized that Clark would be more successful at another school.

I am not sure why we always feel the need to assess blame in these situations. Either the player wasn't good enough and we passed or the player thought we weren't good enough and passed on us. Those aren't the only two options in these situations.

:clap

 

[WTSooner]

"Must get" isn't my term. It is a description used by other posters multiple times in describing Stevie. Your declaration of what you believe to be Kruger's level of interest is just that. Your assumption. You have no inside information that isn't generally available. And neither do I.

Didn't say it was.

I'm basing LK's level of interest on information that WAS made public. Interviews, stories, scholarship offers, etc. That alone tells me the interest was real.

ESPN says that Clark has an offer from OU. That would have to mean, at one point, OU and LK was pretty darn interested, right?

 

[garyeb2]

Didn't say it was.

I'm basing LK's level of interest on information that WAS made public. Interviews, stories, scholarship offers, etc. That alone tells me the interest was real.

ESPN says that Clark has an offer from OU. That would have to mean, at one point, OU and LK was pretty darn interested, right?

Yes, they did offer. But, something changed. It seems that they aren't chasing so hard anymore. Stevie could have just expressed little interest. Or, Stevie could have been slowing down the process because he likes being courted by so many. And Kruger cut bait and moved on. Or somethig else. I don't know.

No one explanation is any more valid than other right now.

 

[cowboysooner]

Haven't studied it, but it seems to me LK likes taller guards. The 3 coming in are in the 6'3/4 range. Goss, foster and the others being talked about are all in the 6'3 or better range.

Don't know, but maybe LK just isn't crazy about a kid as short as Clark, no matter how talented. Lots of college coaches are that way. Clarke and Page weren't recruited by a lot of folks due to their size.

I haven't seen Clark play, but a lot of guys on here have and really want him. So, he sounds like a good get to me. But, I'm not going to cry over missing out on a 5'9 wing, no matter his skills.

By the way, I thought Page and Clarke were great high school players and would be good college players, particularly Clarke. I suppose you could make an argument that they have panned out, but for me, neither one became nearly as good as I thought they would. Mad high school skills just don't always translate to the college level (just to admit to my lack of talent assessment ability, I also predicted college greatness for the gaines kid from muskogee and the 6'6 veasy kid, and I'm not even sure they played in college). I still don't understand why the gaines kid didn't become a legend.

 

[brettromar]

Haven't studied it, but it seems to me LK likes taller guards. The 3 coming in are in the 6'3/4 range. Goss, foster and the others being talked about are all in the 6'3 or better range.

Don't know, but maybe LK just isn't crazy about a kid as short as Clark, no matter how talented. Lots of college coaches are that way. Clarke and Page weren't recruited by a lot of folks due to their size.

I haven't seen Clark play, but a lot of guys on here have and really want him. So, he sounds like a good get to me. But, I'm not going to cry over missing out on a 5'9 wing, no matter his skills.

By the way, I thought Page and Clarke were great high school players and would be good college players, particularly Clarke. I suppose you could make an argument that they have panned out, but for me, neither one became nearly as good as I thought they would. Mad high school skills just don't always translate to the college level (just to admit to my lack of talent assessment ability, I also predicted college greatness for the gaines kid from muskogee and the 6'6 veasy kid, and I'm not even sure they played in college). I still don't understand why the gaines kid didn't become a legend.

Gaines biggest problems were in the classroom and off the floor. His brother Darnell tried to talk to him about it, but couldn't get to him.

I know you said you haven't seen Clark play, however Clarke and Paige are no where in the same league as Stevie. This kid might be the best small guard I have seen from Oklahoma in a LONG, LONG time. I think he is closer to 5'11 but that is just an opinion.

Last year his shot selection when we saw him was much better. He sees the floor so well. He has another gear and can get by many. The biggest difference between him and the other two is his athletic ability. Keaton is an okay athlete but he doesn't have any length. It caught up to him many times in college. (Short arms) Clarke can't get his own shot or create for anyone else. Stevie can go and does things so easy that it looks like he isn't even trying. He shook our kid several times in a scrimmage and even guys like Jordan Woodard couldn't do that this year.

Clark is the best Oklahoma guard I have seen in quite some time.

Just my opinion.

 

[brettromar]

I will say that Kruger does like big guards. They are looking for mismatches with big guards and they would love to have a team of 6'4 to 6'8 guys on the floor at all times.

 

[Capel's Mustache]

Gaines biggest problems were in the classroom and off the floor. His brother Darnell tried to talk to him about it, but couldn't get to him.

I know you said you haven't seen Clark play, however Clarke and Paige are no where in the same league as Stevie. This kid might be the best small guard I have seen from Oklahoma in a LONG, LONG time. I think he is closer to 5'11 but that is just an opinion.

Last year his shot selection when we saw him was much better. He sees the floor so well. He has another gear and can get by many. The biggest difference between him and the other two is his athletic ability. Keaton is an okay athlete but he doesn't have any length. It caught up to him many times in college. (Short arms) Clarke can't get his own shot or create for anyone else. Stevie can go and does things so easy that it looks like he isn't even trying. He shook our kid several times in a scrimmage and even guys like Jordan Woodard couldn't do that this year.

Clark is the best Oklahoma guard I have seen in quite some time.

Just my opinion.

This is exactly the reason I think we cooled on him because we thought we didn't have a chance. Kid is freaky fast and as pure a stroke as I have ever seen. You don't stop recruiting him he stops showing interest in you.

Gary - I see your point I just don't think it's the most logical conclusion. No biggie either way, just nice to have some OU hoop chat.

 

[Sam]

Would you say OSU is in the lead at this point?

That's my gut feeling. Clark played in a lower profile tournament this past weekend in the Dallas area, I didn't go, and an OSU assistant flew all the way back from Orlando (AAU nationals) to see him play. That says a lot to me.

Why do you say this?

Well I don't think OU was never in as good position for Clark as many wished to believed and combined with OSU seemingly making a big push is the method for my opinion.

Kruger has signed 3 guards. They are all long,athletic, and 6'4. Stevie isn't.
That is my point.

What is he ranked in the 2013 class? 63rd? If Kruger thinks he can use a Drew Lavender type, fine, I hope he gets him. If not, I hope he gets another top 100 guard that he can use.

You're on the right track here, Kruger does seem to prefer the bigger more versatile guards. I'd guess they made an exception with Clark because you have to look at kids that talented that live 30 minutes up the road.

I haven't seen Clark play, but a lot of guys on here have and really want him. So, he sounds like a good get to me. But, I'm not going to cry over missing out on a 5'9 wing, no matter his skills.

By the way, I thought Page and Clarke were great high school players and would be good college players, particularly Clarke. I suppose you could make
an argument that they have panned out, but for me, neither one became nearly as good as I thought they would. Mad high school skills just don't always translate to the college level (just to admit to my lack of talent assessment ability, I also predicted college greatness for the gaines kid from muskogee and the 6'6 veasy kid, and I'm not even sure they played in college). I still don't understand why the gaines kid didn't become a legend.

A 5'9 wing? Really? This time last year I could see that argument, a little, but Clark has busted his tail and become a point guard. I'm pretty sure he averaged double figure assists this past year at Douglass, and it could've been a lot higher if his teammates would've finished better.

I didn't see Clarke or Page as much as I have Stephen in high school, but I'd hazard a guess that neither were as quick at Clark is (both are probably better pure shooters though). A lot of people love to go gaga over his 30 footers, his barrages of threes, but the biggest difference in his game of late has been the added strength and fearlessness in attacking the rim. I hate to throw this comparison around, becoming less and less of a fan of comparisons in general, but he could be end up being a Kemba Walker type.

Clark might have a transitional period when he first gets to college since a lot of the stuff he does now will have to change for the high major level. But I honestly believe that by the time his junior year comes around, he could be an all conference type. He's simply wired differently than a lot, if not all, of other high schoolers in Oklahoma with the way he approaches and prepares for games.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I think the thing that people are forgetting and that I promise I posted several months back is that OU just signed three combo-guard potential point guard types and that was going to impact our ability to recruit those same types this season. FWIW, I'd love to have Clark and hope that we are still in the hunt, but I also remember that we have Cousins, Heild and Hornbeak that are on campus. Finally, I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face, but Omega Harris is a guy that I hope OU is really working hard on.

 

[vbdad]

He is a great player and the OU coaches believe he is great. They also know that they have three very good freshman guards and Jordan Woodward is also a strong possibilty to join the Sooners.
Look at the teams recruiting Stevie the hardest. They all are thought by many to play the dark side of AAU basketball with the best of them LK will not get caught up in this sort of game whether it is legal or illegal.
We still want Stevie but it appears he is going to have show more interest in OU before we are going to go hard after him. We gave him the big pitch early and he hasn't responded to it.

Somebody is going to get a great player. Hopefully it works out for the Sooners.

 

[PasoPoke]

He is a great player and the OU coaches believe he is great. They also know that they have three very good freshman guards and Jordan Woodward is also a strong possibilty to join the Sooners.
Look at the teams recruiting Stevie the hardest. They all are thought by many to play the dark side of AAU basketball with the best of them LK will not get caught up in this sort of game whether it is legal or illegal.
We still want Stevie but it appears he is going to have show more interest in OU before we are going to go hard after him. We gave him the big pitch early and he hasn't responded to it.

Somebody is going to get a great player. Hopefully it works out for the Sooners.

Someone was bound to go the "we don't play that game" route.

If you want to be mediocre then you'll ignore AAU basketball but all the elite teams follow the recruits they want like stalkers.

I know you were implying that teams are buying players and OU doesn't but without any evidence I'm not buying it.

The fact is schools have to develop relationships with not only the high school coaches but the AAU guys as well. If that's the dark side then that's the price of winning. Hopefully the NCAA will reign in the control the AAU people has over players and recruiting.

 

[vbdad]

Someone was bound to go the "we don't play that game" route.

If you want to be mediocre then you'll ignore AAU basketball but all the elite teams follow the recruits they want like stalkers.

I know you were implying that teams are buying players and OU doesn't but without any evidence I'm not buying it.

The fact is schools have to develop relationships with not only the high school coaches but the AAU guys as well. If that's the dark side then that's the price of winning. Hopefully the NCAA will reign in the control the AAU people has over players and recruiting.

Our coaches have plenty of relationships with AAU coaches and are going to the games and recruiting the kids. They aren't however paying the handlers or in some cases coaches to be able to talk with the kids.

For the record I wasn't talking about OSU though in this post. Stevie is hearing from the big boys and some of them do interesting things. How about Orton's dad and brother being paid thousands of dollars to speak at Kentucky's camp before his senior year. This is now against NCAA rules.