This Price Is Definitely Right

Dec. 29, 2001

by Kristy Nunn

NORMAN, Okla. - Who is 6-1, weighs 165 pounds, hails from New Orleans, La., and enjoys ping-pong, bowling and baseball? Well, if you haven't guessed already, it's Oklahoma basketball standout Hollis Price.

Price has been a major contributor for the Sooners for the last two-and-a-half years and exudes energy and enthusiasm on the court like few others. Some may wonder what gets Price fired up during a game. The junior and three-year starter says it is his coach, eighth-year OU mentor Kelvin Sampson.

"I think the thing that gets me going during the games is when Coach Sampson pulls off his jacket," says the likeable Price. "It shows me that he's ready to get into the game. We're not even two times down the court and he's pulling his jacket off. I see things like that, I see my coaches behind me ready to coach, and I want to play."

Coming off a triceps injury suffered during Oklahoma's 70-68 overtime loss to Indiana State at the NCAA Tournament South Regional last year in Memphis, Tenn., Price has not missed a beat. He shows it in the way he plays and the statistics he produces each game. After OU's first 10 games, he owned stellar .525 field-goal and .875 free throw percentages and led the team in three-point percentage (.453), points per game (16.9) and steals per contest (2.0).

"I never had any doubts that I wasn't coming back after my injury, even though it took me a long time to rehabilitate," says Price, who underwent three surgeries the week after the injury. "I found out a few months ago that if the triceps tendon tear were any closer to the nerve, they would have had to amputate my arm.

"I think that overcoming the injury made me stronger mentally."

During his basketball career, Price has never been injured to the point that he had to miss any games. So, dealing with this injury at the end of last season was hard for him.

"I was just talking about the injury with my grandfather a while back," recalls Price. "If we would have won that game against Indiana State, it would have been hard to watch my team from the bench in the next game. It was hard just to watch those five minutes of overtime after I got injured."

Not only did Price have to rehab from his arm injury during the off-season (he could only use his left hand to shoot and dribble for two months), but with the recruitment of point guard and former high school teammate Quannas White, he has also had to readjust to playing the two-guard position. He played the two-guard off and on over the last two years, but he says it always takes a little bit of a readjustment to play a different position.

"Playing the two-guard gives me a chance to use my speed, get up the floor quickly and have the other guards kick the ball up to me. Quannas and Blake Johnston are doing a great job of getting the ball to me early and helping me create some in the open floor. I think the difference this year is just me being aggressive and taking shots I wouldn't have taken last year. I have a lot more confidence in myself and my game."

On top of playing a different position and adjusting to new teammates, Price said there has been a definite change in the team's chemistry - a change for the good.

"I think everyone's attitude has changed this year," he said. "For example, from last year to this year Aaron McGhee, who is a vital part of our offense, has changed so much as a player. His defense is much better and he has a much better understanding of how to play basketball on the team level rather than the individual level.

"Everyone seems to be buying into the system, and it works when you all buy into it and work hard at it. I think we are seeing the results of that right now and will see them as the season progresses."

Price considers the guys on the team some of his closest friends and members of his extended family. They spend a great deal of time together.

"You are with the guys so many hours of the day," said Price. "Once you finish with classes you hustle over to the gym. Being part of a team is like being part of a family. The thing I get out of it is these guys have my back and I've got theirs."

Family has always been an important part of Price's life. He was raised by his grandparents, George Carraby and Ann Dennis, in New Orleans. They were able to make it to the Eastern Illinois and Maryland games in mid-December.

"With their support, it just helped me out even more," he said. "Growing up, my grandfather talked to me every day when I got home from school, telling me to do my homework before I could go out and play basketball. I also chose the right people to hang around and made the right choices in order to get where I am today."

For the past two years Price has not only had the support of his family and teammates but of his girlfriend and former OU soccer player, Bridgette Smith.

"She has really helped me out a lot," said Price. "She understands the things I have to go through day in and day out because she was an athlete as well. You come to school and hope to find things like that and I am blessed to have found someone like her. I don't think I could find another girl like her."

Even though Price is only a junior, he still has a future to think about. He would love to continue his basketball career after he is done at OU, but if that doesn't pan out, he would enjoy joining the coaching ranks.

"I find myself doing a lot of coaching when I'm on the bench," said Price. "During the basketball camps over the summer, Coach Sampson gives us a chance to coach, and my team is always at the top of the league during the tournament. Coaching is something I can see myself doing down the road."

OU fans will be seeing Price doing a lot of exciting things on the court over the next year and a half. With his smile, his energy and positive attitude, one can bet he's going to do nothing but succeed in life off the court as well.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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