Can Oklahoma State Keep This Talented Group of Freshmen Together? It Seems Possible
STILLWATER — Saturday was a great day for Oklahoma State Cowboy basketball as they rolled to a 93-83 upset of No. 19 BYU. While a lot of effort went into the win, obviously, it seemed to come easy for the Pokes, especially the freshmen duo of Jamyron Keller and Brandon Garrison.
The pair combined for 43 points, both scoring career-highs, Keller with 22 points on a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, 4-of-4 from 3-point range, and Garrison with 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field.
Keller saw the start with Bryce Thompson out for the season with a labrum injury.
It’s performances like we saw on Saturday, and throughout the rest of the season from Garrison, which brings up conversations of NIL and opposing coaching staffs across the country trying to recruit players to leave following the season.
Whether it’s happening with staff members, through former high school and AAU teammates or possibly family members, there’s no question the threat of losing this talented class to the portal is real. Or is it?
“It could become a lot of good things if we all just stay together, which we will,” Brandon Garrison said after the 93-83 win over BYU on Saturday. “I feel like we could do some big things here at OSU that haven’t been done before.”
“We’re trying to put a banner up in the gym,” said Keller. “Wrestling, we see y’all, but it’s time for basketball to put one up.”
“These kids are here because they love it here,” Boynton said of the current team. “They all had options [to go elsewhere]. I think they all want to be here. I think most of the guys we’ve recruited during my time here have wanted to be here because they’ve all had great options at other places. I think it says something about them being willing to say that, which is refreshing, probably a little inspiring.”
Can you really put some merit into a mid-February comment from a freshman following an emotional win? Let’s certainly hope you can because when you look at the returners for next season, it should be easy for this coaching staff to go into the portal and bring in talented pieces to go with. That is if the NIL is there. Time will tell on all fronts, especially if the Cowboys can figure out NIL heading into the offseason to aid in bringing in portal talent.