NORMAN — Asked what improvements Oklahoma basketball signee Ray Willis needs to make to become a viable college player, Justin Young of Rivals.com answered the question with a question.
"Do they have Whataburger in Oklahoma?” the Atlanta-based recruiting analyst responded. "Ray could use some late-night Whataburger runs.”
That's because Willis stands nearly 6-foot-6 but weighs somewhere around 165 pounds — about as thick as Blake Griffin's right thigh.
So from now until November, Willis will make his home in the secluded weight room along the tunnel between OU's Bruce Drake Practice Court and the Lloyd Noble Center floor.
Because putting some extra weight on his bone-thin body might be what propels him to the status of a valuable contributor in his freshman season at Oklahoma.
"I still think he's gonna grow,” OU coach Jeff Capel said of the Atlanta Westlake High School combo guard. "He's got to be stronger. He's thin right now, so that's gonna be something that's of great importance from the first time he steps on campus.”
Willis is one of two freshmen in the 2008 incoming class, the other being McDonald's All-American Willie Warren. But while Warren is already well-known in Sooner country, Willis could be a diamond in the rough.
Willis averaged 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his senior year, leading Westlake to the Georgia state semifinals. He rose from a relative unknown recruit to the No. 61 player nationally on Scout.com's top 100.
While Willis can address the weight issue, he has less control over his second obstacle at OU: working his way into the playing rotation.
For the first time in his tenure, Capel has some depth to work with, including a couple of swingmen who could steal minutes from guards like Willis on the wing.
Warren, along with returnees Austin Johnson, Tony Crocker, Omar Leary and Cade Davis make for a jumbled depth chart at guard. Willis played point guard at Westlake and he's big enough to play on the wing as well, so that versatility might be his key to getting on the floor as a freshman.
"He can handle it and shoot it,” Capel said. "He's a kid that can score in a variety of ways. He can pass the ball because of his feel for the game. He really, really loves to compete and play, which is something I love about him.
"He has the chance to be a very good basketball player.”
