Bieniemy looks like gem for Sooners
NORMAN — The play happened fast, but that's the nature of Jamal Bieniemy.
The OU freshman guard, in his second college game, Euro-stepped into the lane and missed a layup.
UTSA forward Adrian Rodriguez grabbed the rebound, but his next move didn’t come quick enough. Bieniemy lunged from behind the basket, ripped the ball from Rodriguez, spun, and banked in a layup.
It was one of five steals for Bieniemy as he tied the single-game record for most steals by an OU freshman in the Big 12 era.
Bieniemy is averaging 15 minutes per game off the bench and has already emerged as one of Oklahoma’s top perimeter defenders. Coach
Lon Kruger has called on him to close out games because he can guard multiple positions.
“That’s probably the thing that jumps from his high school career more than anything else,” Kruger said.
There was no shame in Rodriguez not being familiar with Bieniemy’s antics or his often-flailing 6-foot-4 frame. Troy Bieniemy, Jamal’s dad, witnessed plenty of high schoolers make similar mistakes.
Jamal Bieniemy set school records in points, assists and steals at Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas.
“I guess I got the most satisfaction when he played teams outside his district,” Troy Bieniemy said. “Those casual passes from wing to wing? It's not gonna happen.
“You'd see that long arm like Spider-Man or Plastic Man stretch out and swipe it away.”
Bieniemy, the nephew of former NFL running back Eric Bieniemy, is the lone freshman on OU's roster. He wears the same No. 24 as Buddy Hield.
Nerf basketball hoops were spread about the Bieniemys' house as Jamal grew up.
“He would actually sleep with a basketball,” Troy Bieniemy said. “It bit him. He'll probably end up being like Coach Kruger for sure — a basketball lifer.”
Jamal Bieniemy, a top150 prospect coming out of high school, is at Oklahoma because of an unofficial visit he took to Oklahoma State in his junior year.
OU assistant Carlin Hartman recruited Bieniemy when he was on staff at Rice, but the Bieniemys were unsure what OU thought of Jamal. In a twist of fate, OSU was hosting OU the day Jamal and his family took their unofficial visit.
“Carlin does a double take, like ‘You can't come see us but you can come see them?' He didn't say it, but his eyes said it,” Troy Bieniemy said.
Laurie Bieniemy’s eyes weren’t on the game. Jamal’s mom was distracted by Kruger, and specifically, how his demeanor contrasted that of then-Cowboys coach Brad Underwood.
“Brad had a scowl on his face,” Troy Bieniemy said. “He's intense. Not that coach Kruger isn't intense, but he just has a way of communicating with players. (Laurie) was like, 'Look at how calm he is. I would be pulling my hair out.'”
Kruger later visited Jamal, and that was the end of his recruitment. His dad urged him to still visit schools such as UCLA, Cal and Michigan, but Jamal’s decision was set.
On a trip to Norman, less than three months after he visited Stillwater, Jamal stood at midcourt of Lloyd Noble Center.
“That’s it,” he said. “I know where I’m going.”