Oklahoma’s basketball program earned a massive boost for its future over the weekend. Oklahoma received signed national letters of intent from two talented basketball players that will join the team as freshmen in 2023. Kaden Cooper and Jacolb Cole signed during the early signing period to help jumpstart Oklahoma’s recruiting efforts for the class of 2023.
Cole, a 6-8 forward from Bellaire, Texas, is a four-star prospect according to ESPN and Rivals and ranked a three-star per 247Sports. He is the No. 69 player on the ESPN100, ranked No. 107 nationally by Rivals, and the No. 6 player in Missouri according to 247Sports.
Cole’s calling card is his versatility, which is becoming the norm across all levels of basketball for guys with his height. Cole can play against smaller power forwards but will need to put weight on to bang with the older, more physically mature power forwards at the college level. His athleticism, length, and lateral quickness will allow him to guard traditional small forwards too.
Offensively, Cole thrives slashing to the bucket and using his ballhandling skills to help create for others. Long term, he could be great as a secondary playmaker for Porter Moser’s offensive system.
The second of two signees, Kaden Cooper, as of right now, is the crown jewel of the 2023 recruiting class for Oklahoma. The homegrown Sooner is staying in Oklahoma to play his college ball after passing up opportunities to play for Alabama, Kansas, and LSU.
Cooper is a monumental signing for Oklahoma, who hadn’t signed a player in the top 50 of the ESPN100 since they landed in-state legend Trae Young. Cooper is ranked No. 44 on the ESPN100 and No. 56 per 247Sports.
Cooper is a standout two-way player. He has eye-popping athleticism that will help him thrive playing in a system that is a little more free-flowing and plans to get out and run in transition. His long-term ceiling will be determined by how well he continues to evolve as a shooter.
With the signing of both, Oklahoma currently ranks 29th in the nation in team recruiting rankings for 2023. Oklahoma remains hopeful that four-star shooting guard Sebastian Mack announces in Oklahoma’s favor come Wednesday. As of right now, the heavy momentum looks very much in favor of UCLA.
[listicle id=75595]
[listicle id=75424]
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=none image=https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.