Xavier Henry to UK? The possibility excites Daniel Orton
By Brandon Chatmon
Former Bishop McGuinness forward Daniel Orton is preparing to make a big impact during his freshman year at Kentucky. The 6-10, 260-pounder is in San Francisco working out with Frank Matrisciano, who has worked out former Oklahoma star and NBA No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin the past two summers.
With former Putnam City guard Xavier Henry rumored to be having second thoughts about attending Kansas, I talked with Orton on Tuesday night:
Brandon Chatmon: You feeling good about your workouts?
Daniel Orton:Yeah, I am for the most part. There are a lot of players out here. A lot of college players and a couple pro players like Hilton Armstrong.
BC: Have you talked to Xavier at all?
DO: Not about that. When we talk, we don’t talk about that. We talk about how things are going, video games and stuff.
BC: How would feel if he did decide to come play with you (at Kentucky)?
DO: That would be great. It would be real good, but it’s his decision, I’ll leave it up to him.
BC: Do you think Jodie Meeks staying in the NBA draft affects his decision?
DO: It might. I really don’t know though.
BC: When did you first hear he may be having second thoughts?
DO: A month. It’s been a while. I heard about it but I really didn’t believe it. When you hear that stuff, you really don’t think much of it.
BC: Have you been trying to recruit him at all?
DO: No. I’ve been in that situation before and I wouldn’t want someone to do that to me.
BC: So you’ll just sit back and if he comes, he comes, if he doesn’t, he doesn’t?
DO: That’s exactly how I’m going to play it out. Let him make his own decision.
Orton won’t play in Faith 7 game
By Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
As late as Thursday, former Bishop McGuinness forward Daniel Orton expected to come back to Oklahoma to play in the Faith 7 game at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee on June 6. But, at the request of the Kentucky coaching staff, the Kentucky signee won’t represent Oklahoma in the game.
“I’m a little disappointed,” Orton said. “But my coaches don’t want me to miss any school.”
Orton, who has been in Lexington and participating in summer school since May 13, was the headliner of a Oklahoma roster which includes Red Oak’s Lane Adams and Stringtown’s Tyrus McGee.
Local fans still have plenty of reasons to attend.
Oklahoma State signees Reger Dowell and Roger Franklin of Duncanville join Oklahoma signee Tommy Mason-Griffin of Houston Madison on the Team Texas roster.
Last year, OU’s Big 12 freshman of the Year Willie Warren sent a early message to college basketball fans with 41 points and a slam dunk contest victory at the Faith 7 game.
Clarke already making impact
Former Verdigris standout Rotnei Clarke is already making a impact for Arkansas. He scored 17 points on 6 of 11 shooting including 5 of 8 three-point shooting in 39 minutes. The Razorbacks earned a 91-87 overtime win on Friday.
Clarke, an 2008 Oklahoman Super Five member, started his first collegiate game for Arkansas.
Orton, Hardrick officially sign LOIs
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Bishop McGuinness forward Daniel Orton signed with Kentucky today becoming the gem of the Wildcats recruiting class.
I have covered D.O. since his freshman year and his first game against Putnam City North. I remember it like it was yesterday. Here was this 6-9 skinny kid starting for the Irish and PC North standout football player Kenny Brown came driving down the lane before elevating for a dunk.
“No, sir,” was the statement Orton made, swatting the ball back at Brown.
It was about that point I thought…. “huh, interesting, this young man may be somebody someday!”
Four years later he’s a nationally recognized recruit and the headliner in the recruiting class of a Kentucky program which has won seven national championships including two in the 1990s.
Here’s my analysis of Daniel as a player:
Daniel is a great shot blocker with excellent anticipation and awareness. His basketball I.Q. is exceptional which allows him to be a great passer and see things before plays even happen. He has a ways to go offensively but he knows that and works hard on his game to improve. Daniel Orton today is a much better player than Daniel Orton one year ago. He improves each year and I think he’ll be willing to put in the time to get better at Kentucky.
Some people have question his desire to play at a high level at all times but the same was said about Blake Griffin when he was at OCS… need I say more?
Overall, I expect Daniel to have an immediate impact and be one of the top defenders in SEC.
Kyle Hardrick is a sleeper. A lot of people aren’t talking about him, but he is better than most people want to give him credit for.
He understands the game, he’s a very good passer and he’s willing to mix it up down low. He may be a tad undersized at 6-8, but he makes up for it with his shooting touch and effort on the boards.
I think he’ll be a solid player for the Sooners.
Kyle Hardrick, Putnam City
PC likely to face McGuinness
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
It has yet to be finalized but it looks like Putnam City will play Bishop McGuinness this season.
A few weeks back we reported the PC would face Lincoln (N.Y.) and McGuinness would take on Duncanville (Texas) on Dec. 11 in Oklahoma City at a venue to be named later on the ESPN family of networks.
I’m hearing rumors that now, after the injuries to McGuinness’ big man Daniel Orton (knee) and Putnam City standout Xavier Henry (facial injury), the two Oklahoma City area schools will likely face each other on Dec. 11 in Dallas at a venue which has not been determined. Lincoln will now face Duncanville.
I knew with Xavier and Daniel both unlikely to play Dec. 11, it was just a matter of time before ESPN changed their plans.
Keep checking the Oklahoman, when everything becomes official it will be in the paper.
Hardrick set to sign with OU
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Putnam City forward Kyle Hardrick has been committed to Oklahoma since his freshman year.
“This is something I’ve been looking forward to since I was little,” Hardrick said of signing to play college basketball.
Hardrick said he talks with Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel often and is looking forward to officially becoming a Sooner.
Hardrick joins Houston Madison point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin, Brewster (N.H.) Academy forward Andrew Fitzgerald and Atlantic Shores (Va.) Christian School guard Steven Pledger.
“We took our visit together and we worked well together when we were there,” Hardrick said of the Sooners’ incoming class. Hardrick and other Sooner recruits visited OU on Sept. 27 when TCU played Oklahoma in football.
At this point, I’d say Mason-Griffin is the headliner of the class. Here’s a youtube video of Mason-Griffin in action. He’s No. 23 playing for Houston Hoops on the AAU circuit.
Wondering where Terrence Boyd ended up?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
For those interested in where Terrence Boyd ended up, the former Norman High basketball standout will play for San Diego High this season. Boyd will join 2010 top prospect Jeremy Tyler at San Diego High.
The 6-5, 225-pound shooting guard claims offers from Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Marquette, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Baylor, Western Kentucky and UConn among others. Oklahoma has also shown strong interest.
Boyd ranks No. 50 on the Rivals150 and No. 40 on the ESPN100. Recent internet reports have Kentucky and USC as the leaders in Boyd’s recruitment.
I haven’t talked to T-Boyd in a while but I will try to track him down to see if OU and OSU are completely out of it.
In the meantime, here’s a clip of T-Boyd playing for Norman as a freshman. And the quick guard wearing No. 21 for Norman? That’s right… OU standout freshman receiver Ryan Broyles.
