STILLWATER, Okla. --- Oklahoma State men's basketball head coach Mike Boynton announced the signing of three-time All-Big South selection John-Michael Wright on Tuesday.
The Big South's leading scorer this past year, Wright will join the Cowboys after three successful seasons at High Point University under the direction of head coach Tubby Smith.
This past season, Wright started all 32 games for the Panthers and averaged 34.9 minutes per contest with 18.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists. During his time at High Point, he started all 82 games he played in and reached double digits in scoring in 72 of them.
A native of Fayetteville, N.C., he has scored 20 or more points in 33 games thus far in his career, including a career-high 34 against Charleston Southern this past season.
"We are excited about adding John-Michael to our program," Boynton said. "He has been a consistent, highly productive player at High Point for three years. His quickness, shot making ability, and unselfishness will all help us in being a highly competitive team in our conference and nationally. John-Michael comes from a great family and has been well coached throughout his career. I can't wait to work with him."
Wright will join Oklahoma State as an incoming senior.
Wright's full bio:
Prior to Oklahoma State (High Point)
- In the 2021-22 season, his junior year of eligibility, he played and started in all 32 games for High Point while averaging 34.9 minutes per contest. He shot .410 from the field and .363 from behind the arc as he averaged 18.4 points, 4.4 rebounds 3.4 assists.
- He finished the year with the eighth-best assist-turnover ratio in the Big South, the ninth-best field goal percentage, had the second-most free throw attempts (third-most made), led the conference in scoring average and had the eighth-most assists.
- Thanks to his play, he earned NABC District 3 First Team honors.
- For the second-straight season, was named to the All-Big South First Team in 2022.
- Wright entered the season outside the top-10 for scoring on HPU's D1 scoring leaders list but finished it in fourth with 1,464.
- A true scoring threat each time he took the court, was named to the All-Big South First Team his sophomore season.
- That year he was also selected as the Big South Player of the Week on Nov. 30.
- During the standout season, he led the Panthers in scoring (20.1 ppg), three pointers made (48), and free throw percentage (.779).
- He scored a season high 29 points on two separate occasions his sophomore year. At Davidson (Nov. 25) and against Winthrop (Feb. 19) and started all 22 games that he played in.
- Scored in double digits 21 times during that season and totaled 14 games with 20 or more points.
- Recorded his first double-double of the season against Winthrop with 27 points and 10 points on Feb. 18, 2021, and earned his second against USC Upstate with 24 points and 10 rebounds on Feb. 27.
- As a freshman, he was named to the Big South All-Freshman Team and earned honorable mention All-Big South Conference honors.
- That year, he led the team in scoring (14.2 ppg), three-pointers made (60), and minutes per game (32.5).
- The conference quickly took notice of the freshman as he was a five-time Big South Freshman of the Week honoree (Nov. 11, Nov. 25, Dec. 16, Jan. 27, Mar. 2).
- During that first year, he scored in double-digits 23 times throughout the season and notably scored career-high 31 points against Gardner-Webb on Jan. 23.
High School Career
- Was notably a McDonald's All-American nominee.
- Led Fayetteville Academy to a North Carolina 2A Independent School State Championship.
- Was a two-time Conference Player of the Year.
- Notably was named the Cumberland County Player of the Year.
- Earned First-Team All-North Carolina honors.
Personal
- Born on February 1, 2001
- Son of April & Eddie Hightower
- Undecided Major
