Oklahoma State’s Latest McDonald’s All-American ‘Has No Idea How Good He’s Gonna Be’

STILLWATER — Rankings be darned, Brandon Garrison was one of 12 to make Team USA’s U18 this past summer, where he won a gold medal representing his country, and now he is one of 24 players to be selected as a McDonald’s All-American.

The 247Sports Composite rankings list Garrison as the No. 42 player in the country. Rivals has him at No. 45. ESPN is the highest on the Del City center at No. 30, but despite the razer-thin margins at the top of those prospect big boards, Garrison is the lowest-ranked recruit among the McDonald’s All-Americans, proving he didn’t make it as a flashy name, but his skill did the talking.

Garrison, who signed with Oklahoma State in November, is set to become the ninth player in Oklahoma State’s history to be a McDonald’s All-American, and the third of the Mike Boynton era, joining Cade Cunningham and Bryce Thompson.

“It’s cool for him that he’s earned his way onto that deal,” Boynton said. “Just 24 kids in the country, right? And you think about the history of that game. I think the stat is, and I don’t want to pressure or anything, but like 60% of the guys who made that game have made it to the NBA for some sort of year or whatever. He’s on the right track.

“I’m so happy for him because still in some ways you feel like he’s still under the radar from a national attention standpoint, but there are people in basketball who recognize his ability but also his development and probably can see a kid with a really, really bright future on the court.”

Garrison also becomes just the 11th player from Oklahoma to be named a McDonald’s All-American since the honor started in 1977. He will become the first All-American Oklahoman to go directly to Oklahoma State, after Thompson initially went to Kansas before transferring in.

That could be significant in the coming years as, while Oklahoma historically doesn’t have the most exposure, Garrison is part of a string of elite-level talent to come through the state that started with Trae Young. Should Garrison’s time in Stillwater go to plan, it could open doors for Bartlesville’s David Castillo (Class of 2024) or Owasso’s Jalen Montonati (Class of 2026) to follow suit. Both of those Tulsa-area standouts have a shot at also becoming McDonald’s All-Americans.

The best part about Garrison is that he is only scratching the surface of what he can become. The 6-foot-9, long-armed frame was a good start allowing him to be a high-level rim protector, but as of late, Garrison has expanded his game, hitting 3s and working a pick-and-pop mid-range game.

The rankings say Oklahoma State got a good one. But honors like a gold medal with Team USA and being a McDonald’s All-American point to the Cowboys having a great one.

“He has no idea how good he’s gonna be, which is good, but it’s a little bit of pressure on us to help him maximize that,” Boynton said. “But we embrace that. Our staff has got a lot of pride in making guys better.

“Three years ago he was a shot-blocker and sometimes a layup maker. Now he can make a pick-and-pop jump shot to 15 feet comfortably. He can run the floor. He thinks he can dribble now. Not really sure about that. He won’t be running our break next year, I can assure you that. But, yeah, without putting pressure, he has earned the right to have expectations on him next year.”