Kuath gives Sooners options
NORMAN—K ur Kua th sprinted from baseline to baseline Wednesday afternoon, catching l obs on one end and contesting shots on the other. A dozen or so fans watched from the east sideline at Lloyd Noble Center as the Sooners practiced.
Their seats weren't far from the spot Kuath occupied for much of last year.
After playing in Oklahoma's first six games a season ago, Ku a th was shutdown in November after reaggravating a stress fracture in his lower back. Thursday, the 6-foot10 center declared himself 100 percent healthy.
OU is pursuing a medical red shirt for Kuath, which would give him two seasons of eligibility with the Sooners. Kuath transferred to Oklahoma after two years at Salt Lake Community College in Utah—where Kuat h' s family moved from South Sudan.
“It's probably been the best year, redshirting,” Kuath said
Wednesday after practice .“I never thought about redshirting. I never wanted to, but it's probably been the best decision I've ever made.”
While he was still able to practice with the team for much of last season, Kuath's primary focus was in the weight room. After coming to Norman at alan ky 190 pounds, Kuath is up to 225 pounds.
He's currently at the top of a long list of new front court options for the Sooners.
“Because of his experience, certainly,” coach Lon Kruger said. “The other big guys coming into the program, first summer, feeling their way a little bit. But all doing well.”
The Sooner shave a glut of big men, but
few with Division-I experience. There' s 7-foot-1 freshman Rick Issanza, 6-foot-7 freshman Victor I wu ak or, 6-foot-9 junior college transfer Corbin Merritt and 6-foot-8 freshman Anyang Garang, who will redshirt.
“Even t hough we're bigger this year, we're still athletic, and we're still up and down the court,” Kuath said. “It's gonna be more above the rim stuff. It's gonna be a good year.”
Kruger was forced to employ small-ball lineups a year ago due to lingering injuries suffered by now-graduated center Jamuni McNeace. That meant heavy workloads in the frontcourt for starters Kristian Doolittle and Brady Manek — both of whom were used to perimeter roles, at least offensively.
“Not having to play center anymore is very
nice ,” Doolittle said. “I'll let them handle the Azubuikes of the world,” he added, refer enci ng 270- pound Kansas center Udoka Azubuike.
Oklahoma could still opt for a smaller starting lineup with Jam al Bi enie my, De' Vi on Harm on and Austin Re ave son the perimeter with Doolittle and Manek inside. It's a group that played together Wednesday in practice.
But Kuath's return coupled with the arrival of a front-court heavy 2019 class will give Kruger and his staff the flexibility to go small or big depending on matchups.
“Longer, rangier, no question about that ,” Kruger said of his roster. “Not real bulky as a group. Pretty lean, but yeah, I like the size. I like the depth both on the inside and the perimeter. It'll be a good, deep group.”