OU's Willie Warren returning for another season

 
By John Helsley, Staff Writer | Modified: April 16, 2009 at 5:00 pm | Published: April 16, 2009    Comment on this article Leave a comment


NORMAN – Oklahoma freshman guard Willie Warren, who had been contemplating a jump to the NBA, is returning for at least another season with the Sooners.

photo - OU's Willie Warren brings the ball up the court as Michigan's David Merritt defends during a second-round men's NCAA college basketball tournament game between Oklahoma and Michigan in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, March 21, 2009. Oklahoma won 73-63. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY
OU's Willie Warren brings the ball up the court as Michigan's David Merritt defends during a second-round men's NCAA college basketball tournament game between Oklahoma and Michigan in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, March 21, 2009. Oklahoma won 73-63. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY

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Warren Staying

Apr 16Willie Warren announces he is staying at OU.

Warren, the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Year, confirmed his decision Thursday in a text message:

“Yes that’s true,” Warren wrote.

Warren’s return bolsters OU’s chances for a return to the NCAA Tournament. Most NBA mock drafts projected Warren as a lottery pick.

With national Player of the Year Blake Griffin already leaving early for the NBA and starters Taylor Griffin and Austin Johnson gone after their eligibility expired, the potential loss of Warren would have left the Sooners rebuilding with youth.

Instead, Warren gives OU a potential star to build around, with his return the basis for most early projections pegging the Sooners as a top 20 team.

“With Willie, you’ve got a guy who you’ve seen do it,” OU coach Jeff Capel said earlier this week.

Warren was OU’s second-leading scorer this season, averaging 14.6 points a game, along with 3.1 assists.

Without the Griffins inside, the Sooners will likely shift to a more guard-oriented emphasis offensively, which would feature Warren’s penetration skills and creativity with the ball in his hands.




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