Oklahoma Signs Junior College Forward Heywood

April 22, 1999

NORMAN, Okla. - Jameel Heywood, a 6-6, 230-pound forward who played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Oklahoma, announced OU head coach Kelvin Sampson today.

A native of New York City, Heywood averaged 17.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last year for 22-10 Coffeyville and was a second-team All-Jayhawk Conference selection. The Red Ravens advanced to the Region VI Tournaments final eight. As a freshman, Heywood helped Coffeyville to a 21-11 record by averaging 17.0 points and 9.0 boards per outing. He earned second-team all-conference honors that year as well.

"Jameel is a blue-collar guy," said Coffeyville head coach Jay Herkelman. "He's a tough kid who makes hard baskets. He can step out on the floor and shoot it from about 16 or 17 feet and he can post up and make some baskets inside. He's a guy who's also going to go in and battle for rebounds."

Herkelman, who said Heywood started every game for Coffeyville during his two seasons there, thinks the forward will fit in well at OU.

"I think he's Coach Sampson's kind of guy. He's a hard-nosed guy that worries more about the wins than his own personal numbers. Coach Sampson will enjoy coaching him, I know that."

Sampson said, "We were looking for a kid that fit our program both on and off the court. Jameel is an outstanding kid from an outstanding program at Coffeyville. He's all about winning and wants to make Sooner basketball better. Jameel has a great attitude.

"He's a big, strong, physical inside player. He has good hands and real good instincts for the game. He's one of those guys who will make his teammates better because he's a very good passer. We think he'll add to our success next year."

Prior to attending Coffeyville Community College, Heywood spent two years at Salisbury (Conn.) Prep School. He averaged 28 points per game there his final season. Heywood also attended Evander Childs High School in Bronx, N.Y.

Heywood joins high school stars Ebi Ere, Jarrett Hart and Hollis Price as members of OUs current recruiting class. Ere, the Oklahoma High School Player of the Year, averaged 28.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game this past season for McLain High School in Tulsa. Hart averaged 17.4 points, 8.5 boards and 7.3 assists for Arkansas 6A state champion Little Rock Central High School. He was a first-team all-state selection and was named 6A state tournament MVP. Price, the New Orleans (La.) Metro Player of the Year, averaged 25.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game for 5A state champ St. Augustine High School. He was also named state tournament MVP.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Signs Junior College Forward Heywood

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