Malcoln Kirkland Jr. is a 6-foot-8, 250-pound big man with three years of eligibility remaining. While he can not sign a letter of intent because this is not a signing period, Kirkland said Monday afternoon that he plans to be in Stillwater within a week or two. He said OSU coaches first contacted him early last week, and he visited campus on Friday.
"Coach said they need somebody inside who can score on the block, and that's what I can do,” Kirkland said.
The addition of another big body inside will be critical for the Cowboys. Last season, with the unexpected transfer of junior Kenny Cooper just before the season started, OSU didn't have a center who had played a single minute of college basketball. Adams, then-freshmen Ibrahima Thomas and Marshall Moses and junior transfer Anthony Brown, shared minutes inside last year. Adams averaged 3.1 points and 2.1 rebounds.
"Martavius and I sat down last week and agreed that it would be mutually beneficial for both parties if we simply went our separate ways,” OSU coach Travis Ford said in a statement. "We appreciate his efforts at Oklahoma State and wish him nothing but the best of luck. Ultimately, we want him to be happy.”
Although Adams returned for summer workouts and was on campus until the weekend, teammates said his transfer wasn't totally unexpected. The Georgia-native frequently spoke about transferring closer to home. Adams also had some minor disciplinary issues last season under former head coach Sean Sutton, serving a suspension for attitude problems in the non-conference season.
