Nation’s top hoops recruit still considering Oklahoma

Julius Randle, the nation’s top basketball recruit, has narrowed his list to six.

As expected, he’s considering some traditional powers (Kentucky/Kansas) and thriving programs (Texas/Florida/NC State). But to many, the most surprising team still remaining on Randle’s list is Oklahoma, the only one from that exclusive group who didn’t make the NCAA Tournament last year.

The Sooners (15-16 last season) even failed to reach the NIT.

But Lon Kruger’s steadily rebuilding the program back to prominence. And his September pitch to Randle, when OU was granted an in-home visit, must have convinced the top recruit of that.

Randle’s the type of talent (as you can see from the video) that’ll likely stay for no more than a year or two. He’s a big-bodied 6-foot-9 lefty with smooth touch and unbelievable ball control.

And you’d assume, with his supreme talent and rare skill set, Randle is planning on his short college stint being at a place that can compete for national titles.

So the fact that he initially listened and is still considering OU speaks volumes about the program’s direction. Especially considering the fact that he just axed Duke, North Carolina and in-state rival Oklahoma State from his consideration list.

He’ll likely never land in Norman, with Kentucky (and John Calipari) the presumed favorite. But this news, along with a few nice recruits already committed (Edmon’s Jordan Woodard among them), should excite Sooner fans who’ve been underwhelmed since Blake Griffin’s departure.