Injured OU guard Washington to enter portal
NORMAN — OU’s Kelbie Washington, who hasn’t played since the 2021-22 season, announced Wednesday that she would enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens.
“I am excited about the future and the possibilities it holds for me,” Washington wrote, in part, on X/Twitter.
The 45-day portal window opens at the end of the regular season.
As a freshman in 202122, the Norman High product played in 31 games, starting 16, averaging 6.7 points, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals.
Perhaps Washington’s best game came against Wichita State on Dec. 29, 2021, when she had 11 points, 14 assists, six rebounds and five steals in the Sooners’ 89-67 win.
Washington moved to the bench early in Big 12 play that season, but still averaged 20 minutes per game and was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team after that season.
But before last season, Washington went through some health issues that kept her off the floor for all of the 202223 season.
Before this season, OU women’s basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk said Washington had decided to take time away from the team.
“She’s just taking a step back from Oklahoma basketball right now,” Baranczyk said in November. “She’s just taking a little bit of a break.”
Washington led Norman High to back-to-back Class 6A championships, averaging 13.0 points, 4/2 steals, 4.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds during her high school career.
As a senior in 2021, she earned Oklahoman Super 5 Player of the Year honors.
She committed to the Sooners and then-coach Sherri Coale in April 2020.
When Baranczyk was hired to replace Coale, one of Baranczyk’s first hires was Norman High coach Michael Neal, who helped keep Washington as part of the class.