this from the DOK....Likekele might be improving in a big way.
Boynton discusses new team, returning walk-ons
STILLWATER — When the eager freshmen recently united with the returners in Stillwater, they bolstered not only the roster but also coach Mike Boynton’s confidence.
After dismissing three players Jan. 16 for rule violations, Boynton was left with a tenacious but depleted Oklahoma State men’s basketball squad.
The wait for a complete team is nearly done. Every expected newcomer has arrived except for graduate transfer Jonathan Laurent, who will join the Cowboys later in the summer.
“Now, we’re getting ourselves back where we’re gonna be able to create a competitive environment and give these kids a chance to grow and develop,” Boynton said. “And then go out and have some success as a group.”
During the tumultuous past season, Boynton praised the walk-ons who helped the Cowboys, and at least two are returning. Although he isn’t sure what the future holds for all of them, he said Dee Mitchell and J.K. Hadlock are on the team for the 2019-20 season.
“They’re here now through the summer,” Boynton said. “They work with our guys, and as we get through the fall, we’ll see if any other opportunities open up (for others).”
Likekele selected as U19 World Cup Team finalist
Isaac Likekele is one step closer to representing USA Basketball in Greece.
On Tuesday, he was chosen as one of 18 finalists for the 2019 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Cup Team. If Likekele, an OSU guard, makes the last cut, then he will play on a team of 12 in the FIBA U19 World Cup. He would follow Matt Clark, Marcus Smart and Jawun Evans, former Cowboys who competed in world championships and won gold.
Likekele’s play has garnered positive reactions on Twitter from basketball analysts Corey Evans and Eric Bossi, who are in Colorado Springs to cover training camp. Bossi called Likekele a “big time leader.”
‘Unless we play them, we’ll cheer for them’
Boynton continues to support Curtis Jones and Duncan Demuth as they plan to pursue dreams away from OSU.
Jones, who transferred from Indiana and became eligible at OSU partway through the 2018-19 season, has committed to Penn State. Demuth, who spent his freshman year as a Cowboy, is transferring to Vermont. Boynton said they discussed their decisions with him.
“We believe that these kids deserve to go places where they can be happy and have success, and it’s really that simple,” Boynton said. “And if it’s here, we want them here; we want them to be here and work hard and help our program. But if it’s not, unless we play them, we’ll cheer for them.”
Boynton, Cowboys approve of NCAA’s 3-point line
change
A little extra distance might not faze the Cowboys.
On June 5, the NCAA announced a new rule that will move the men’s college basketball 3-point line to 22 feet and 1 3/4 inches, the international range.
For the past 11 seasons, NCAA men’s teams shot from a 3-point line with a distance of 20 feet and 9 inches. Boynton said he likes the change.
“It’s been a strength of our team, anyway, (the) 3-point shot, so moving the line back a foot or so won’t probably bother us as much as maybe some other teams,” Boynton said. “I always like things that give us a chance to maybe grow our game.”
Thomas Dziagwa, a guard who is entering his senior season, has formed his identity with deep 3-point shots. During his junior year, Dziagwa went 105-of-247 from 3. Likekele said he doesn’t expect the new arc to affect his teammate’s game much.
“He never shot closely from the first one, so it’ll be fine,” Likekele said. “He’ll probably be three steps back off this new one, too.”
Boynton discusses new team, returning walk-ons
STILLWATER — When the eager freshmen recently united with the returners in Stillwater, they bolstered not only the roster but also coach Mike Boynton’s confidence.
After dismissing three players Jan. 16 for rule violations, Boynton was left with a tenacious but depleted Oklahoma State men’s basketball squad.
The wait for a complete team is nearly done. Every expected newcomer has arrived except for graduate transfer Jonathan Laurent, who will join the Cowboys later in the summer.
“Now, we’re getting ourselves back where we’re gonna be able to create a competitive environment and give these kids a chance to grow and develop,” Boynton said. “And then go out and have some success as a group.”
During the tumultuous past season, Boynton praised the walk-ons who helped the Cowboys, and at least two are returning. Although he isn’t sure what the future holds for all of them, he said Dee Mitchell and J.K. Hadlock are on the team for the 2019-20 season.
“They’re here now through the summer,” Boynton said. “They work with our guys, and as we get through the fall, we’ll see if any other opportunities open up (for others).”
Likekele selected as U19 World Cup Team finalist
Isaac Likekele is one step closer to representing USA Basketball in Greece.
On Tuesday, he was chosen as one of 18 finalists for the 2019 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Cup Team. If Likekele, an OSU guard, makes the last cut, then he will play on a team of 12 in the FIBA U19 World Cup. He would follow Matt Clark, Marcus Smart and Jawun Evans, former Cowboys who competed in world championships and won gold.
Likekele’s play has garnered positive reactions on Twitter from basketball analysts Corey Evans and Eric Bossi, who are in Colorado Springs to cover training camp. Bossi called Likekele a “big time leader.”
‘Unless we play them, we’ll cheer for them’
Boynton continues to support Curtis Jones and Duncan Demuth as they plan to pursue dreams away from OSU.
Jones, who transferred from Indiana and became eligible at OSU partway through the 2018-19 season, has committed to Penn State. Demuth, who spent his freshman year as a Cowboy, is transferring to Vermont. Boynton said they discussed their decisions with him.
“We believe that these kids deserve to go places where they can be happy and have success, and it’s really that simple,” Boynton said. “And if it’s here, we want them here; we want them to be here and work hard and help our program. But if it’s not, unless we play them, we’ll cheer for them.”
Boynton, Cowboys approve of NCAA’s 3-point line
change
A little extra distance might not faze the Cowboys.
On June 5, the NCAA announced a new rule that will move the men’s college basketball 3-point line to 22 feet and 1 3/4 inches, the international range.
For the past 11 seasons, NCAA men’s teams shot from a 3-point line with a distance of 20 feet and 9 inches. Boynton said he likes the change.
“It’s been a strength of our team, anyway, (the) 3-point shot, so moving the line back a foot or so won’t probably bother us as much as maybe some other teams,” Boynton said. “I always like things that give us a chance to maybe grow our game.”
Thomas Dziagwa, a guard who is entering his senior season, has formed his identity with deep 3-point shots. During his junior year, Dziagwa went 105-of-247 from 3. Likekele said he doesn’t expect the new arc to affect his teammate’s game much.
“He never shot closely from the first one, so it’ll be fine,” Likekele said. “He’ll probably be three steps back off this new one, too.”
