UPDATE: OUHoops.com just posted an interview with Hammond discussing this commitment.
Coach Lon Kruger and the Oklahoma Sooners basketball program are expecting a big weekend with their 2nd annual alumni game, but they got some good news on the recruiting front as well on Thursday afternoon.
6'10" power forward Jacob Hammond (Class of 2014) verbally committed to the Sooners according to multiple reports. OU fans will certainly like the height and while Hammond is pretty new to the game of basketball and fairly raw as a prospect, but many believe he has a very high ceiling.
Here are some quick comments via HS Live 365:
He (Hammond) is an under the radar big man who has only played one year of basketball, but taking to the game like a sponge. Beginning to understand how to use long arms to patrol the lane and is becoming aggressive at attacking the rim. Underdeveloped offensively and inexperienced but has started to show flashes recently that hints at a high ceiling.
Player Comparison:Ex OU center Longar LongarIn their September 27th 2011 OKHoops Exposure Combine: Class of 2014 and 2015 Breakdowns it was stated Jacob Hammond, OKC Storm (Homeschool): This big man's ceiling continues to rise as he excels on both ends of the court. On defense he is always active around the rim, swatting and altering shots, while also cleaning the glass. During the camp he continued to dunk whenever he got the chance thanks to running the floor well, but his ability to start stepping out for the occasional jumper might have been biggest sign of what is to come for Hammond.
William Jennings of OUHoops.com reported that "Just a few months ago Hammond was an unknown. Now he's on the Sooners' radar and has the look of a national recruit. Hammond is now settling down to take it all in. The 6 foot 9 post is still relatively new to the court and has seen his development skyrocket recently. "It feels great because I've only been playing for a couple of years and it is good seeing my name get out there."
In fact Wichita Falls' Hirschi coach Donald Hedge is familiar with top players in Texas and Oklahoma. The Oklahoma native often sees many of the best players from both states, as he runs the Elite 14 Showcase, an event that brings top teams from Oklahoma and Texas to Wichita Falls for a November scrimmage. Hedge has had the chance to watch Hammond, since he was a big contributor at the recent OKHoops.com Exposure Combines. After watching the young big man, he offered this assessment about Hammond:
"I see a lot of the top young big guys in Texas and there is not a kid in his class that I've seen in the DFW area that I would pick over Hammond. That kid has a motor and just plays hard all the time. I would love to go to war with him on my side."