Oklahoma State’s options before the 2019 Signing Period ends

The final signing period for college basketball ends on Wednesday and Oklahoma State sits with one scholarship left to fill for their 2019 class.

While the Cowboys don’t necessarily have to use their remaining available scholarship, it really seems like Coach Boynton wants to add one more power forward or center to the roster. So far, they guys they have targeted as of late, have spurned them.

On Monday, Mike Boynton learned that power forward Kevin Cross chose Fred Hoiberg and Nebraska over OSU. That comes about a week after the Cowboys missed out on forward Doudou Gueye, who picked Louisiana Lafayette.

So where does that leave Oklahoma State ahead of Wednesday? Let’s break down the possibilities for how the Cowboys use their final scholly.

Nigel John

Oklahoma State brought in the Washington State signee for a visit to Stillwater last week, but so far there hasn’t been an (announced) offer made. Other schools that have reached out since John reopened his recruitment include Oregon State, Louisiana Tech, Tulsa, Texas A&M, and Baylor, among others. The three-star, 6-9 center is also still strongly considering sticking with Wazzu.

The fact that OSU hasn’t extended an offer — that we know of — doesn’t make me feel great about this. But, Kevin Cross picked a school that never made an announced offer, so who knows.

Bryce Okpoh

To be honest, I’m not sure if OSU is still in the running here or not. The 6-7 power forward was offered early in Mike Boynton’s tenure as head coach, all the way back in 2017. At last check, according to PrepHoops, Okpoh seemed to be down to New Orleans, Austin Peay, and Hartford, mostly I think due to Oklahoma State shifting their focus away from him.

That said, Coach Boynton is running out of options. Plus, if you look at Okpoh’s social media, he still keeps track of the Cowboys. Isaac Likekele, Mike Boynton, Chris Harris, and Avery Anderson all follow Okpoh and he continues to retweet posts of theirs.

I still don’t actually foresee Okpoh at Oklahoma State, but at this point, it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on him.

Maurice Calloo

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Exactly what is happening with the former Cowboy is a little up in the air. After being dismissed from the program, there has been a lot of information, but definitive answers.

He committed to Cleveland State back in January, but then there were rumors he was going to go the JUCO route and sit out a year. The last we heard, Calloo made a visit to Nebraska in early April, and according to Pistol Firing Blog’s Kyle Boone, Calloo could actually return to Oklahoma State.

I know people are going to have mixed feelings here about bringing Calloo back. But what Boone wrote about Calloo simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people is true, then I don’t have a problem giving the kid a second chance.

“As a source close to Calloo told PFB: “He wasn’t the one who shot the gun. Guilty by association. They dismissed him because he would not tell on the others.””

I highly doubt Boynton would allow him to re-earn his way back onto the team easily.

Plus, he was finally starting to show off some potential right when he got booted. I would like to see what he can develop into at OSU.

Transfer

This seems like the most likely thing to happen at this point. There are a LOT of power forwards and centers in the transfer portal, too many to list really, and plenty with multiple years of eligibility remaining.

I’ve said all along, I think the best thing for this team would be to bring in a guy who spends next season either sitting due to transfer or because he needs time to develop (ie: what Duncan Demuth should have been able to do this season).

There are plenty of sit-one-play-two guys out there on the transfer market, or heck, graduate transfers who can be an immediate back-up to Yor Anei, allowing the Boone twins to play with less pressure to contribute immediately.

To be honest, I have no idea which transfers OSU would be most interested in. All the guys they’ve been mentioned in connection with have either committed elsewhere or announced top-schools that didn’t include OSU. If Coach Boynton doesn’t bring in a high school or JUCO recruit by the end of day Wednesday, keep an eye on the portal.

Nothing

I know Coach Boynton wants to bring in one more body for this class, but the best move at this point might be to wait. Bringing in someone just to bring someone in, isn’t the best use of a scholarship.

They could look to a midseason transfer ala Curtis Jones or Yankuba Sima. They could save it for the 2020 class. Granted, they’re already going to have six scholarships available for next year with Cam McGriff, Lindy Waters, Thomas Dziagwa, Curtis Jones, and Jonathan Laurent all running out of eligibility at the end of the upcoming season.

This is why I go back to the staff bringing in someone who has to sit a season. They’ll spend a year getting acclimated to the team and then be ready to contribute immediately next season when OSU is replacing so much.

Whatever happens, the next 24+ hours are going to be fun to watch!