Sampson Eager for Season

NORMAN, Okla. -- With one big man having waited an extra year to play in the NBA and another returning to full strength for the first time in nearly two seasons, Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson has reason to believe in his team this season.

The combination of seniors Taj Gray and Kevin Bookout figures to be one of the Big 12's most potent frontcourts again this season, particularly with Bookout recovering after offseason surgery to repair a bothersome nerve in his right elbow.

Swingman Terrell Everett, guard David Godbold and center Longar Longar are also back from a team that shared the Big 12 regular-season title last season and returned to the NCAA tournament before losing to Utah in the second round.

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``I think this is going to be a fun team to watch,'' Sampson said Tuesday. ``I'm really looking forward to getting started.''

Sampson said he doesn't put much weight in preseason rankings, but isn't arguing with those who have the Sooners pretty high.

``I think we're a top 10-type team,'' Sampson said. ``If this team stays healthy, we'll be hard to beat.''

Sampson, who's entering his 12th season at Oklahoma, said he hopes Bookout will be back to full speed for the first time since he injured his shoulder in October of his sophomore year. The 6-foot-8, 259-pound forward played in 13 games that season before having surgery. He suffered an ulnar nerve contusion against Tulsa last December, but was still able to finish the season.

After having outpatient surgery on the elbow last month, Sampson said Bookout could be fully cleared by doctors within a week after practice starts. He's already participating in workouts with his teammates.

``Kevin's in all our drills,'' Sampson said. ``He's shooting, doing his hook shot, shooting free throws. He's doing everything except contact.''

The Sooners, who finished 25-8 last season, will have more questions in the backcourt after starting point guard Drew Lavender and reserve Lawrence McKenzie transferred.

They add freshman Austin Johnson and junior college transfers Michael Neal and Chris Walker, a point guard who averaged 7.7 assists at San Joaquin Delta College in California.

``We're good at the guard position, but I don't think you can have two point guards,'' Sampson said. ``I think you need one. We've got to figure out who we're going to play there.''

Sampson could use Everett, a slashing 6-4 guard, at the point or could use Walker or Johnson depending on their development. He used Everett at the point in big games last season, but that's not necessarily the ideal situation in Sampson's mind.

``I just think for us to be the best we can be, Terrell has to be able to score, too,'' Sampson said. ``I'd like to pitch it up to him in transition so he can attack the basket then, and that's when Chris comes into play.''

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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