Steve Lutz’s head coaching career got off to a brilliant start with NCAA Tournament appearances in each season leading Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Western Kentucky. However, Oklahoma State was always going to be a challenge and a significant step up in competition. Lutz led these Cowboys to a 17-18 mark in his first season in Stillwater, tying for 12th place in the Big 12 while making a decent run at the NIT. Now he’ll have an almost completely different roster trying to fare better in year two.
Whether through graduation or the portal, Oklahoma State has seen most of its production walk out the door. Double-digit scoring starters Abou Ousmane and Bryce Thompson will be missed while Marchelus Avery was very productive in the frontcourt. Artuor Dean and Jamyron Keller were two contributors who left through the portal, with the lone notable returner being Robert Jennings, a forward good for just over 5 points a game last season.
Outside of some talented freshmen, Oklahoma State also rebuilt with a transfer class that has seven names, many of which will be great in the backcourt. The Cowboys did get size in Christian Coleman from UAB and former Oregon State center Parsa Fallah. Jaylen Curry was a point guard from UMass while Anthony Roy scored buckets with Green Bay. Isaiah Coleman put up impressive numbers as a sophomore at Seton Hall while Vyctorius Miller has great raw talent after his freshman season with LSU.
The seventh addition and today’s focus lies on Kanye Clary, a 5-11 point guard originally from Virginia Beach. With Clary it’s all about the potential, something he showcased as an underclassman over at Penn State, averaging 16.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists as a sophomore. He would transfer in the offseason, but his lone year at Mississippi State was cut short after just seven games by a lower leg injury.
Oklahoma State needs leadership and direction and they’re hoping that Clary can provide that this season. If healthy and on top of his game, he can score in bunches and set up the rest of this offense for success. We named several players known for their own scoring and each of them are in a better place if Clary is at his most efficient. Players like Coleman and Miller and Roy could have gaudy numbers thanks to Clary this season.
At the end of the day, this is another roster that’s been completely rebuilt using the portal and that’s unfortunately become a regular thing in this sport. Lutz and his staff have hit on some really good players and it’s very possible that Clary’s numbers are far from the most impressive by early March. However, his leadership and athleticism will go a long way towards success if Oklahoma State is going to have a bounce back season, hoping for their first trip to the Big Dance since 2021.