SoonerPr8r
11/1/2010, 11:25 AM
http://newsok.com/could-griffin-bradford-pull-double-oklahoman-rookie-of-the-year-feat/article/3509977?custom_click=lead_story_title
Every summer, Gary Vick finds himself fighting the same battle.
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Could Blake Griffin, Sam Bradford pull double Oklahoman 'Rookie of the Year' feat?
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As the coach of Athletes First, Oklahoma's premier AAU basketball team, Vick works hard to help get his high school players noticed by college programs. But there are some preconceived ideas about players from Oklahoma.
But maybe Vick's 2005-06 teams are changing that.
Those teams included several guys who went on to major college programs. Guys such as Ekpe Udoh, Obi Muonelo, Cade Davis, Keith Clark, Andy Shaw, Xavier Alexander and Jeremy Lay.
And a couple other guys you might have heard of — Sam Bradford and Blake Griffin.
Both were No. 1 draft picks, Bradford by the St. Louis Rams of the NFL, and Griffin by the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers.
Two kids who grew up just a few miles apart in Oklahoma City, and both are off to roaring starts in their pro careers this season. Maybe double-Okie rookies of the year?
"It really emphasizes that Oklahoma does have players who can compete on a national scale," said Vick, who had Bradford, Griffin, an all-Big 12 player in Muonelo, and Udoh, the No. 6 overall pick in last year's NBA Draft, on the same team.
"Everyone talks about work ethic with those guys, but the difference was the heart and soul they put into everything they do."
Udoh is working his way back from a wrist injury, hoping to make his pro debut by January. Muonelo is expected to be picked in today's NBA D-League draft. And several others are still involved in basketball, either playing or coaching.
"It's kind of crazy to look back," said Shaw, who played two years at Oklahoma State before going into coaching. "Blake and Sam are two of my really good friends, and the both got drafted No. 1.
"People didn't think a lot about Oklahoma. We probably didn't get the respect we would have gotten if we had been from another city. But it didn't really bother us."
Added Muonelo: "It's been fascinating the talent Oklahoma has put out in the last 10 years. It makes you proud of your state, proud of who you are, because you played with those guys.
"I've known those guys since we were 9 or 10 years old. It's very surreal and humbling to watch what they're doing. It makes you happy."
Is Blake eligible for rookie of the year? I thought last year was his rookie year even though he was injured.
Every summer, Gary Vick finds himself fighting the same battle.
Multimedia
Photoview all photos
Could Blake Griffin, Sam Bradford pull double Oklahoman 'Rookie of the Year' feat?
NewsOK Related Articles
* Blake Griffin's case for NBA rookie of the year
10/31/2010 PROS & CONS ON GRIFFIN Why Blake Griffin will win NBA rookie of the year He has a massive presence on a franchise that desperately needs one. Will...
* Sam Bradford's case for NFL rookie of the year
10/31/2010 PROS AND CONS ON BRADFORD Why Sam Bradford will win the NFL's offensive rookie of the year: Bradford has engineered a remarkable turnaround for the Rams,...
As the coach of Athletes First, Oklahoma's premier AAU basketball team, Vick works hard to help get his high school players noticed by college programs. But there are some preconceived ideas about players from Oklahoma.
But maybe Vick's 2005-06 teams are changing that.
Those teams included several guys who went on to major college programs. Guys such as Ekpe Udoh, Obi Muonelo, Cade Davis, Keith Clark, Andy Shaw, Xavier Alexander and Jeremy Lay.
And a couple other guys you might have heard of — Sam Bradford and Blake Griffin.
Both were No. 1 draft picks, Bradford by the St. Louis Rams of the NFL, and Griffin by the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers.
Two kids who grew up just a few miles apart in Oklahoma City, and both are off to roaring starts in their pro careers this season. Maybe double-Okie rookies of the year?
"It really emphasizes that Oklahoma does have players who can compete on a national scale," said Vick, who had Bradford, Griffin, an all-Big 12 player in Muonelo, and Udoh, the No. 6 overall pick in last year's NBA Draft, on the same team.
"Everyone talks about work ethic with those guys, but the difference was the heart and soul they put into everything they do."
Udoh is working his way back from a wrist injury, hoping to make his pro debut by January. Muonelo is expected to be picked in today's NBA D-League draft. And several others are still involved in basketball, either playing or coaching.
"It's kind of crazy to look back," said Shaw, who played two years at Oklahoma State before going into coaching. "Blake and Sam are two of my really good friends, and the both got drafted No. 1.
"People didn't think a lot about Oklahoma. We probably didn't get the respect we would have gotten if we had been from another city. But it didn't really bother us."
Added Muonelo: "It's been fascinating the talent Oklahoma has put out in the last 10 years. It makes you proud of your state, proud of who you are, because you played with those guys.
"I've known those guys since we were 9 or 10 years old. It's very surreal and humbling to watch what they're doing. It makes you happy."
Is Blake eligible for rookie of the year? I thought last year was his rookie year even though he was injured.