NORMAN, Okla. — Freshman basketball player Blake Griffin announced Wednesday he will return to play for Oklahoma in the 2008-09 season.
“Looking back on it, I’ve had a fun freshman year,” Griffin said. “I think it’s time for me to announce that I’m coming back for my sophomore year.”
OU head coach Jeff Capel acknowledged Griffin would have been a success in 2008-2009, whether it was on the professional hardwood or in his second year with the Sooners in the NCAA.
“He’s a pro,” Capel said. “He was a pro the first day he walked on campus … We want to recruit guys who have the chance to leave early.”
Griffin’s decision comes two weeks after Capel signed an extension that will run through 2014. Griffin, an All-Big 12 first-team selection, said Capel’s return had a significant impact on his decision.
“That’s definitely something that changed things a little bit,” Griffin said. “Definitely knowing that [Capel] was staying, and that he was 100 percent sure that he wasn’t going anywhere for a while … that actually helped a lot.”
Griffin said he has spent the last few weeks pondering his choices with his family and reached his final decision after last weekend.
“I’ve had a tough time the past two to three weeks trying to decide what I’m going to do,” Griffin said. “I’m excited about next year and looking forward to moving on.”
Capel said he assisted Griffin and his family through the process by providing information, but never supplied his opinion. Capel was in contact with NBA scouts and general managers and relayed their feedback to Griffin.
“Because of the relationship that we have, we were honest throughout,” Capel said. “I heard plenty of things, and I’m sure he heard some things … I feel good because he feels good.”
Griffin said he looks forward to sharing the hardwood with his brother Taylor Griffin, who will be a senior with the Sooner squad, for another season.
While gathering information for the deliberating Griffin, Capel said he was able to get a gauge of approximately where Griffin would have been drafted, indicating he believed Griffin would have been drafted in the top 10.
Griffin said the main factor in his decision was his desire to improve himself and become more ready for the NBA.
“For however long I’m playing, there’s always something I can work on, always some things that I can get better at,” Griffin said. “Basically right now I’m working on my shot … and being a leader.”
Griffin’s 14.7 average points per game was the highest in the statistical category by a true freshman at OU since Tim McCalister posted 16.1 in the 1983-1984 season. Griffin’s 9.1 rebounding average ranked fourth in the Big 12 and was the highest by an OU freshman since Wayman Tisdale grabbed an average of 10.3 boards in 1982-1983. Both were team highs for the season, as was his .568 shooting percentage.
One other choice available to Griffin was to enter his name in the Draft without signing an agent. In that circumstance, if he did not like his projected pick, he would have been able to withdraw his name 10 days before the Draft and retain his college eligibility.
A few players have already implemented the strategy this offseason, including LSU freshman Anthony Randolph and Alabama junior Richard Hendrix. Griffin, however, said it was not a legitimate option for him.
“Once it came down to it, I didn’t want to put my name in and be unsure,” Griffin said. “I want to feel like I’m ready … It’s a good option for some guys, but I didn’t feel like it was an option for me.”
Capel said he is looking forward to next year, but first and foremost is proud of the way Griffin handled the situation.
“Obviously, it brings a lot to our program to have a guy that is one of the best players in college basketball coming back,” Capel said. “But I’m just happy for Blake, to be completely honest. I’m glad he’s doing what he wants to do.”