NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of Oklahoma of last decade

4. Justin Bean – Utah State

The state of Oklahoma produced another mid-major star, as was the case with Bean. A 6’7 forward from Moore, he made his way to Utah State, playing under Craig Smith and Ryan Odom for his four-year collegiate career. Bean was part of the revival of success for the Aggies in his early seasons while emerging as an extremely solid player by the end of his career.

He was a bench piece as the Aggies won the MWC Tournament during his freshman season before emerging into a presence on both sides of the basketball. Bean averaged 11.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore as Utah State won another conference tournament and was just as efficient the following year on another NCAA Tournament trip. During his senior season, Bean averaged 17.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game during a less successful year for the program but another impressive offensive and defensive year for him.

Bean was three times named to the All-MWC teams, including Second Team in his upperclassman seasons, and was also twice on the All-Defense team. He led the conference in rebounding as a senior and was one of the league’s best offensive rebounders throughout his career. A highly rated defensive player, especially with some of the analytics, Bean was not drafted but will likely get chances at the next level, signing recently with the Los Angeles Clippers.