KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Phil Forte — one of the Big 12 Conference’s elder statesmen — enters his fifth season at Oklahoma State at the same starting point as his younger teammates.
The senior has been a sponge while new Cowboys coach Brad Underwood introduces his philosophy. Just like a first-year player, Forte had to figure things out on a daily basis.
“Whether you are a freshman or you are a senior, you are learning at the same pace,” Forte said Tuesday during Big 12 Media Day at the Sprint Center. “We’re all helping each other out and trying to be there and help each other learn as much as possible. Whether it is just watching film with coaches and trying to pick up the system a little quicker and helping the other guys pick it up as well.”
Forte, a 5-foot-11 sharpshooting guard, could end his career playing more games than any other OSU player. He’s played in 102 and the record is 136, set by Bryant Reeves (1991-95) and Byron Eaton (2005-09).
Whenever Forte’s career ends, Underwood understands that the OSU program will be much better simply because the player was a part of it.
“Phil’s dividends will pay off, for me personally, down the road when he’s gone,” Underwood said on Tuesday. “Because of the foundation and the culture that he’s laying in our program, the work ethic, the commitment to success. All of that is being passed on to our freshmen and to our young guys.
“He’s such a good example about everything that’s right about being a student-athlete. He’s already got his degree. He’s committed to making Oklahoma State be the best program that it can be. All of that is everything that I stand for. And that will translate years beyond him wearing a uniform.”
“To have that, I’m very fortunate. And I feel very excited to have him and I want his senior year to be everything that he wants it to be.”
Forte has put in the work to prepare for his final stretch run. After recovering from last year’s elbow injury, he’s focused more on creating his shot off the dribble and getting more explosive. He’s dissected tape of Stephen F. Austin — the former home of Underwood’s three NCAA Tournament teams — to learn what kind of shots he would get in the new OSU coach’s offense.
He is also looking forward to developing a bond with point guard Jawun Evans, the reigning Big 12 freshman of the year and a preseason all-conference first-team selection.
“It’s great to have (Forte) back,” Evans said. “He’s a leader. He’s demanded a lot of me in practice and both on the court and off the court.”
Last year was tough, and Forte is hungry for one more crack at college basketball.
“It was very difficult. I’ve never been hurt like that before and I’d never missed a game, even in high school. Having to sit there and watch … you put so much time and effort into the game and it was definitely different,” Forte said. “And having to sit there and watch my teammates go through every practice and game last season was very difficult.
“It definitely makes you appreciate being able to put that jersey on and being able to take the court again.”
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The senior has been a sponge while new Cowboys coach Brad Underwood introduces his philosophy. Just like a first-year player, Forte had to figure things out on a daily basis.
“Whether you are a freshman or you are a senior, you are learning at the same pace,” Forte said Tuesday during Big 12 Media Day at the Sprint Center. “We’re all helping each other out and trying to be there and help each other learn as much as possible. Whether it is just watching film with coaches and trying to pick up the system a little quicker and helping the other guys pick it up as well.”
Forte, a 5-foot-11 sharpshooting guard, could end his career playing more games than any other OSU player. He’s played in 102 and the record is 136, set by Bryant Reeves (1991-95) and Byron Eaton (2005-09).
Whenever Forte’s career ends, Underwood understands that the OSU program will be much better simply because the player was a part of it.
“Phil’s dividends will pay off, for me personally, down the road when he’s gone,” Underwood said on Tuesday. “Because of the foundation and the culture that he’s laying in our program, the work ethic, the commitment to success. All of that is being passed on to our freshmen and to our young guys.
“He’s such a good example about everything that’s right about being a student-athlete. He’s already got his degree. He’s committed to making Oklahoma State be the best program that it can be. All of that is everything that I stand for. And that will translate years beyond him wearing a uniform.”
“To have that, I’m very fortunate. And I feel very excited to have him and I want his senior year to be everything that he wants it to be.”
Forte has put in the work to prepare for his final stretch run. After recovering from last year’s elbow injury, he’s focused more on creating his shot off the dribble and getting more explosive. He’s dissected tape of Stephen F. Austin — the former home of Underwood’s three NCAA Tournament teams — to learn what kind of shots he would get in the new OSU coach’s offense.
He is also looking forward to developing a bond with point guard Jawun Evans, the reigning Big 12 freshman of the year and a preseason all-conference first-team selection.
“It’s great to have (Forte) back,” Evans said. “He’s a leader. He’s demanded a lot of me in practice and both on the court and off the court.”
Last year was tough, and Forte is hungry for one more crack at college basketball.
“It was very difficult. I’ve never been hurt like that before and I’d never missed a game, even in high school. Having to sit there and watch … you put so much time and effort into the game and it was definitely different,” Forte said. “And having to sit there and watch my teammates go through every practice and game last season was very difficult.
“It definitely makes you appreciate being able to put that jersey on and being able to take the court again.”
http://m.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra...cle_bc22e745-c1de-5eec-a782-c55b03467a56.html
