Griffin’s gift to highlight OU alumni weekend

NORMAN — Blake Griffin, Buddy Hield and Trae Young are back in Norman this weekend along with two dozen or so former players for the annual OU basketball alumni weekend.

While Griffin’s presence at the event will surely be appreciated by fans, it’s he and his brother Taylor’s gift that will be highlighted. The Griffin Family Performance Center opened in June, but it will be formally dedicated Saturday.

Features of the new training facility include a weight room, indoor and outdoor turf, spaces for plyometric and cardiovascular training, cardio and strength testing, locker rooms and an exam and recovery area.

The Griffin brothers will join OU President Jim Gallogly and athletic director Joe Castiglione in a dedication ceremony outside the facility at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Griffin Family Performance Center is located just south of the practice gyms at Lloyd Noble Center. The event is open to the public.

The Legends Alumni Game will tip off at noon at Lloyd Noble Center. The event is free, and fans must enter on the east side.

“It’s gonna be crazy,” Young, now a rookie with the Atlanta Hawks, said. “I just remember, a year or two ago I was in the stands ... Now to be able to be on the court — it’s weird saying I’m an alumni, still, but it’s cool. I’m looking forward to seeing everybody again.”

Among the former Sooners scheduled to show up: Ernie Abercrombie, Alvan Adams, Mike Anderson, Chucky Barnett, Shawn Clark, Isaiah Cousins, Cade Davis, Ebi Ere, Ted Evans, Taj Gray, Blake Griffin, Taylor Griffin, Garfield Heard, Skeeter Henry, Tim Heskett, Buddy Hield, Joe Holladay, Darryl “Choo” Kennedy, Joe King, David Little, Tim McAlister, Mike McCurdy, Tom McCurdy, Michael Neal, Tyler Neal, Bo Overton, Ryan Spangler, Billy Tubbs, Tommy Tubbs, Ray Whitley and Trae Young.