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Cowboy Basketball Positional Previews: Shooting Guards

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Brad Underwood’s ridiculous success at Steven F. Austin was built around several factors, but near the top of the list has to be his squad’s tremendous offensive rating (4th in NCAA each of the last two seasons) and shooting ability. He will look to build a similarly efficient, unselfish, high percentage-shooting group in Stillwater, which starts at the guard positions.

For the second installment of the PFB positional previews (here’s the first), we’ll take a look at one of the deepest positions for Oklahoma State in 2016-2017, the shooting guards. The Cowboys boast several talented shooting guards/small forward types, but the names below will get the most minutes as shooting guards this year.

  • Phil Forte III
  • Tavarius Shine
  • Lindy Waters III

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the shooting guards, unquestioned leader of the Cowboy basketball team, a solid returning contributor, and perhaps the most important newcomer to the team in 2016.

RS Sr. Phil Forte III, 5’11, 195 lbs.

It’s only fitting that his name ends with a 3, because you won’t find a quicker trigger from long range in the Big 12 than Phil Forte. He may look like that husky B-league intramural player at the Colvin who you could take off the dribble, but in reality, he’s one of the most effective shooting guards in the Big 12.

Forte’s 2015-2016 season was cut short by a season ending elbow injury just the third game of the season, so he was granted a medical redshirt and an additional year of eligibility. In his last full season as a junior (2014-2015), Forte was a 3rd Team All-Big 12 selection, averaging 15.0 points per game (4th in the Big 12), shooting 84 percent on free throws (2nd in the Big 12), 2.19 3-pointers per game (3rd in the Big 12), and 42.5 percent shooting from 3 in Big 12 play which placed him 7th in Oklahoma State history. Defensively, Forte got after it as well, ranking 60th in the country with 60 steals.

Despite his small stature, Forte’s speed and strong build allow him to get open and his quick release is incredibly difficult for even much larger defenders to guard. Forte also has a reputation as a strong ball-handler, and in combination with point guard Jawun Evans, will make Oklahoma State an incredibly hard team to press in 2016.

Forte is also the unquestioned leader of the Cowboy basketball team, and his incredible work ethic has been documented by many. His on-court and locker room presence were missed dearly by the Cowboys last season, and will be a welcome return for a talented but young Cowboy team this season.  Look for Forte to keep the 3-ball coming, share primary ball-handling duties with Evans, and provide a spark defensively in his final season of eligibility in Stillwater.

 

Jr. Tavarius Shine, 6’6, 200 lbs.

Shine is a solid contributor entering his third season in Stillwater. Originally hailing from Irving, Texas, Shine spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, coming to Oklahoma State in 2014.

His points per game doubled from 3.4 to 6.1 PPG from his freshman to sophomore year, hitting double digits in points five times last year. Shine provides solid length, energy, and an ability to knock down 3s at a high rate, perhaps best evidenced in Oklahoma State’s best win last season against Kansas, hitting back to back 3’s and pestering the Jayhawks guards all night long.

Shine is a solid if unspectacular performer off the bench for the Cowboys, but can play several positions with his length and defensive prowess. Shine will feature at the 2 or 3 spot on the floor most for Underwood’s Cowboys in 2016-2017.

Fr. Lindy Waters III, 6’6, 200 lbs.

If you haven’t heard this name yet, be prepared to hear it early and often in the 2016-2017 season. The four-star shooting guard recruit from Norman has an advanced game for his age, and turned down offers from Butler, Cincinnati, Clemson, Harvard, Houston, Iowa State, and Oklahoma to sign with OSU.

Waters also comes with a background story. He missed 10 games for Norman North last season after an ill-advised decision on October 2nd almost cost him his college career. He lost a video game bet with one of his friends and as a result, had to pose for a snapchat picture with a toy gun around his waist with the caption “Who’s the Shooter?” The picture ended up on Twitter, and resulted in Waters’ suspension, which was declared to be a whole academic year. The sad irony is that Waters was only home from school playing video games that day because of a threat of mass shooting at his high school, Norman North.

Waters, nicknamed “Trey” by his friends, had to transfer to a prep school, Sunrise Christian (also attended by former OU star Buddy Hield), in Wichita. After being allowed to return his Spring Semester, Lindy finished his career at Norman North and his scholarship with OSU was honored, as were all other offers, as his story checked out. Waters has made the most of his second chance, and is already impressing the coaches in Stillwater.

Perhaps the most exciting scouting report from Waters comes from his new head coach, Brad Underwood.

“Lindy’s really a guy that has no weaknesses in his game. As he continues to gain strength, not that he’s terribly weak, but his versatility – he shoots it, he passes it, his intellect is extremely high,” Underwood told Go Pokes. He’s a young man that’s going to have an outstanding career at Oklahoma State. He does it in a kind of quiet way; he’s not an extremely vocal player yet, and he’s still finding his way. He’s repetitions away from being maybe that 6-6 unbelievable shooter, but his game allows him to do a lot. I’m very excited about Lindy.”

2016 Outlook

There you have it, folks. Waters would likely start for many teams, but is blocked for a year by Phil Forte at the 2 guard spot. However, Waters should get major minutes, even as a freshman. His size, shooting, and ability to drive and post up smaller guards will play very well in the Big 12, and separate him from the other guards on the roster.

As a group, the three shooting guards mentioned above all provide unique, valuable assets to the Cowboys. Forte will shoulder much of the scoring load along with Jawun Evans, and provide a spark defensively with his energy. Lindy Waters III will bring a completely new dimension when he is on the floor, with his size, athleticism, and shooting ability from the 2 spot.

Shine will provide more of the same, length and versatility on defense and an ability to knock down the open 3, which will be important playing alongside lightening quick point guards who can drive and dish such as Jawun Evans and Brandon Averette. The Cowboys backcourt should be among the very best in the Big 12, and will look to carry Underwood’s squad in his first year at the helm in Stillwater.

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