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Tommy Mason-Griffin says he’s turning pro
By Jake Trotter, Staff Writer, jtrotter@opubco.com <!---->
69 Comments Published: March 24, 2010
NORMAN — Tommy Mason-Griffin put an end to all speculation.
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The Oklahoma freshman point guard is turning pro.
Mason-Griffin made the announcement late Tuesday night on his Facebook page.
"On a mission,” he wrote. "Its a official dat i am leavin skool and enterin draft. … i aint doin anotha yr.”
Mason-Griffin’s departure comes as a devastating blow to coach Jeff Capel’s rebuilding efforts after the school’s first losing season in 29 years.
The former McDonald’s All-American averaged 14.1 points and 5.0 assists a game during his freshman season at OU while earning third-team All-Big 12 honors.
Down the stretch, after guard Willie Warren underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his ankle, Mason-Griffin handled the point guard duties almost exclusively. In OU’s final 16 games, Mason-Griffin sat the bench a combined total of 17 minutes.
As OU closed the season with nine consecutive losses, Mason-Griffin was one of the team’s few bright spots, setting freshman school records for assists and 3-point baskets.
But Mason-Griffin also had his share of problems at OU.
After returning late from Christmas break, he did not start during OU’s games against Gonzaga on Dec. 31 and Maryland-Eastern Shore on Jan. 4.
Mason-Griffin was also benched during the first half of OU’s Big 12-opening loss at Baylor after an outburst during a practice.
Still, Mason-Griffin improved over the course of the season and provided OU with stability at point guard, something the Sooners could be without next season.
If Warren joins Mason-Griffin in turning pro, as expected, OU will be without anyone capable of running the point on its current roster.
Capel has signed 6-foot-3 shooting guard T.J. Taylor, but will probably have to take a hard look at resolving his point-guard void through the junior-college ranks.
As for Mason-Griffin, his decision to turn pro after just one season in college is sure to be heavily scrutinized.
"Given his small stature and uneven performance this season,” wrote ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford of the 5-foot-11 Mason-Griffin, "he’ll either go in the second round or undrafted.”
Tommy Mason-Griffin says he’s turning pro
By Jake Trotter, Staff Writer, jtrotter@opubco.com <!---->
NORMAN — Tommy Mason-Griffin put an end to all speculation.
Advertisement
<script type="text/javascript">yld_mgr.place_ad_here("slot_300x250");</script><!-- SpaceID=2022776002 loc=LREC noad -->
The Oklahoma freshman point guard is turning pro.
Mason-Griffin made the announcement late Tuesday night on his Facebook page.
"On a mission,” he wrote. "Its a official dat i am leavin skool and enterin draft. … i aint doin anotha yr.”
Mason-Griffin’s departure comes as a devastating blow to coach Jeff Capel’s rebuilding efforts after the school’s first losing season in 29 years.
The former McDonald’s All-American averaged 14.1 points and 5.0 assists a game during his freshman season at OU while earning third-team All-Big 12 honors.
Down the stretch, after guard Willie Warren underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his ankle, Mason-Griffin handled the point guard duties almost exclusively. In OU’s final 16 games, Mason-Griffin sat the bench a combined total of 17 minutes.
As OU closed the season with nine consecutive losses, Mason-Griffin was one of the team’s few bright spots, setting freshman school records for assists and 3-point baskets.
But Mason-Griffin also had his share of problems at OU.
After returning late from Christmas break, he did not start during OU’s games against Gonzaga on Dec. 31 and Maryland-Eastern Shore on Jan. 4.
Mason-Griffin was also benched during the first half of OU’s Big 12-opening loss at Baylor after an outburst during a practice.
Still, Mason-Griffin improved over the course of the season and provided OU with stability at point guard, something the Sooners could be without next season.
If Warren joins Mason-Griffin in turning pro, as expected, OU will be without anyone capable of running the point on its current roster.
Capel has signed 6-foot-3 shooting guard T.J. Taylor, but will probably have to take a hard look at resolving his point-guard void through the junior-college ranks.
As for Mason-Griffin, his decision to turn pro after just one season in college is sure to be heavily scrutinized.
"Given his small stature and uneven performance this season,” wrote ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford of the 5-foot-11 Mason-Griffin, "he’ll either go in the second round or undrafted.”
