Oklahoma State Basketball: Why Khalil Brantley is the most important team transfer for 2024-25

Change has come to Stillwater, as Oklahoma State basketball made a coaching change in the offseason, dismissing Mike Boynton after seven very mediocre seasons. Fresh off a 12-20 campaign, the Cowboys handed the keys of the program to Steve Lutz, who quickly built success at multiple mid-major programs in recent years. Can he have that same breakthrough type success against much stiffer competition in the Big 12?

There aren’t a lot of faces from last season coming back this year, though it’s a shame to see the Cowboys losing young talent. Leading scorer Javon Small was a sophomore, while frontcourt players Eric Dailey and Brandon Garrison both showed promise as true freshmen. Instead, all three transferred to other schools while a long list of other changes have come to this roster. The most notable returning face is Jamyron Keller, another member of last year’s freshman class.

Unsurprisingly, Lutz and his new staff heavily utilized the Transfer Portal in building a new rotation. Lutz brought Brandon Newman with him from Western Kentucky and added another strong backcourt piece in Arturo Dean from FIU. Many additions were made in the frontcourt, grabbing Davonte Davis from Arkansas, Robert Jennings from Texas Tech, and Abou Ousmane from Xavier, but perhaps the most important addition came from the mid-major level.

With those major frontcourt additions, it’s not a surprise to see a point guard like Khalil Brantley as our most vital addition. A 6’1 guard from the Bronx, Brantley just finished his third season at La Salle. The starting point guard for the last two seasons, he’s developed into quite the player for the Explorers and just averaged 15.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game as a junior.

While adding La Salle’s leading scorer isn’t as exciting as a player from Xavier or Arkansas, Brantley brings athleticism, experience, and talent to this roster. We mentioned that Keller was the only real player returning, but he’s more of a combo guard. Not only can Brantley score but he’ll fit in nicely running the point for the Cowboys. Last season saw him finish among the A-10’s leaders in both steals and assists.

A lot of this roster was thrown together using the Transfer Portal and it’s hard to see how exactly things come together. There are some clear roles for new pieces in the lineup, and Brantley’s role is certain and significant. One big question is if a former A-10 guard can take that next step as a senior and lead a Big 12 squad that’s headed for a major adjustment, especially in a league that got even bigger and tougher in the offseason.

Another missed NCAA Tournament is the likely outcome in Stillwater, but nobody’s throwing the towel in when the season doesn’t start for three more months. Oklahoma State has some good pieces in place, but does Lutz have enough talent to legitimately compete in this league? Has Brantley got what it takes to be a ball handler and top-level guard in the Big 12?