Oklahoma Basketball: 4 best players in Sooners history
1. Blake Griffin (2007-2009)
When Blake Griffin stepped on campus for the first time, he instantly became one of the most hyped players in Oklahoma Sooners history. He lived up to his billing during his freshman campaign, averaging 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Griffin was named to the conference All-Rookie Team, the first Sooner to qualify since Tisdale.
All of this while battling two knee injuries during the season. Those knee injuries proved to be an ironic saving grace for Oklahoma fans, helping Griffin decide to remain in school for his sophomore season.
The big man dominated from the jump during Year 2. He averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, leading the NCAA in rebounding. Griffin pulled down 30 double-doubles, the second-most in a collegiate basketball season.
He also carried Oklahoma all the way to the Elite Eight, where they fell to the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Griffin claimed six out of six National Player of the Year awards after the season, cementing his season as one of the greatest in the history of college basketball. He declared for the NBA Draft after the season but left the Sooners in a better place than how he found them.
Trae Young has a long way to go before he can include himself on the list of great Oklahoma Sooners. Halfway through his freshman season, however, he appears to be well on his way.