Five In-State Hoops Prospects to Watch for 2019

Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton knows the type of player he wants to bring in to his program. And he knows where he wants to import them from, too.

“First place we want to recruit is in-state,” Boynton said on a podcast with Evan Daniels last year. “We want the best players in the state of Oklahoma to be Cowboys. Every year, if there’s a kid good enough to play in the Big 12 to help us win a Big 12 championship, we want them to wear orange and black.”

Realistically, that can’t always be the case. Oklahoma is talent-rich with top-end talent from time to time, but rarely is it an annual tradition such as Texas or Florida, two states gushing with talent from border to border.

That goes doubly true for 2019. Although the talent pool at the top is pretty loaded, Mike Boynton couldn’t realistically fill his entire 2019 class with in-state kids.

So with that in mind, who is Boynton eyeing in the state for the class of 2019 to bring into his program?

Keylan Boone | 6-7 forward

Keylan is just starting to realize his potential as a prospect and may be the more polished of the two between he and his brother. He’s a more natural scorer, and he’s an elite shot-blocker whose length is disruptive and demoralizing for opponents in the post.

This season, he’s averaging just shy of a double-double in points and rebounds for the Chargers. He also leads the team in blocks per game.

Kalib Boone | 6-7 forward

Kalib is the twin brother of Keylan, both of which are stars at Tulsa Memorial High School. Very raw, ultra-talented, with supreme length and athleticism that projects him as a high-major star-in-waiting.

Here’s more on him from OK Hoops Report.

A good athlete, Boone is currently raw but more than makes up for it with his high workrate.  His shooting form around the basket can look unorthodox, he was still productive scoring on putbacks and dives to the rim.  On defense, he showed an eye for shot blocking, even able to alter shots on the perimeter. Boone is a player to keep an eye, as he has the raw tools to be an intriguing prospect.

Boynton pulled the trigger with an offer to both Kalib and his twin earlier this spring and is one of OSU’s top targets in the class.

Jacob Germany | 6-11 Center

Jacob Germany was a fast-riser out of Kingston, Oklahoma, who picked up an offer from TCU in the summer of 2017 but has since seen his recruitment come to a bit of a lull. However at 6-foot-11, he’s got the size and skill to be a D-1 athlete.

He’s grown from a 6-5 forward to 6-11 center, so he’s still working his way into learning how his body works in a new time zone. But he’s really talented and a local kid worth watching.

Kobe Burgess | 6-foot point guard

Ada, Oklahoma standout Kobe Burgess is one of the best defensive players in the state, and an all-around aces point guard prospect within the state.

He’s not an elite athlete, nor is he a polished product on the offensive end, but he’s a serviceable point guard who could garner Division I looks. I think his lack of size could hurt him especially when it comes to getting attention from major in-state programs, though.

Micah Thomas | 6-foot point guard

Putnam City North point guard Mical Thomas is another player to watch in 2019. The 2018 state champion has a handful of offers from Tulsa and Missouri State among others, and, in my opinion, has an offensive game that will translate to the next level.

I watched Thomas last summer on the AAU circuit and, while he’s got a diminutive frame, he’s got great court vision and a good feel for the pace of games. Exactly what you need in a point guard. Reminds me a bit of Brandon Averette: not flashy, but a sturdy ball handler who can run your offense.