Hooping it up With Omar Leary

Sept. 24, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - Omar Leary is excited for the 2007-08 basketball season, his first in an Oklahoma uniform, and reasons for his anticipation are plenty.

For starters, the first-team juco All-American will have the opportunity to play a lot of minutes this year. Leary possesses obvious talent, as evidenced by his per-game averages of 14.0 points and 6.3 assists last season for a 34-2 Northeastern Junior College squad in Sterling, Colo. He also shot .439 from 3-point range.

The 5-10, left-handed Leary, who hails from Portland, Ore., is also anxious to build on his 2007 postseason success when he averaged 21.5 points and 5.5 assists at the national juco tournament.

When talking to him, though, it becomes clear that Leary is most excited for the upcoming basketball campaign because he truly believes his Sooners are going to be a force in the Big 12 Conference. He piloted the Sooners to a four-game exhibition sweep in Canada over Labor Day weekend and says the team came away with a sense of togetherness that will benefit it all year.

SoonerSports.com recently visited with Leary about his background, his thoughts on the point guard position, his early OU experience, his teammates and coaches, and the 2007-08 season.

Q: How do you like being a Sooner so far?
A: "I like it a lot. I like the guys, I like the coaching staff. Oklahoma is a little different from what I am used to, but I like it a lot. I think we have some big moments ahead of us as a team."

Q: What was your junior college experience like?
A: "It keeps me grounded. Being here shows me that with hard work you can continue to achieve your goals. Junior college was a good experience and we won a lot. We cut down some nets last year, and those are some memories I am going to remember for the rest of my life."

Q: Can you talk about your recruitment, when Coach Capel first saw you and when he offered you?
A: "I signed at Colorado State at the beginning of the year last year. When it came time for the national (junior college) tournament, that head coach was fired so I was able to get out of my scholarship. I had a great showing at the national tournament and I had a lot of schools interested and talking to me so it was really chaotic. Oklahoma was one of those schools that talked to me that I had seen on television and had heard a lot about, which made me want to be a part of it. I think the main reason why I am here is because I took advantage of the big stage at the national tournament and seized the moment."

Q: Do you anticipate a big transition from junior college to Oklahoma?
A: "Yes and no, because at the end of the day basketball is still basketball. Everyone puts their shorts on the same way and ties their shoes the same way. It is a jump because if you climb the ladder in the basketball ranks, players are going to be able to jump higher, run faster and are stronger. Those are going to be some adjustments I am going to have to make. Being here in the summer really gave me a head's up and helped me understand what it's going to be like."

Q: In your opinion, what does a successful and effective point guard do for his team?
A: "He has to be a second coach out there. He keeps everyone under control and keeps his emotions under control and never shows any doubt or any sort of weakness in his team. He can take care of the ball and make open shots and make good decisions. Everything is not always going to be perfect, but he has to do the best he can to make good decisions and put his team in the best position to win."

Q: What attributes do you have as a player to help this team?
A: "Taking care of the ball and hitting open shots and making the right plays at the right time are things I can bring to this team. As time goes on, we will get a lot better and can achieve great things together. I think I can contribute leadership and be vocal."

Q: Is there a player you try to model your game after?
A: "Damon Stoudamire is someone I look up to, who is a Portland native himself. I am fortunate enough to have a good relationship with him and talk to him a lot. I ask him questions about when he was playing a lot, about how he did things. He is also left-handed, so it is easier to emulate my game after him."

Q: Talk about your expectations for yourself, as well as your team this year.
A: "No one sees us coming. I look at that as an advantage because we are really a team to be reckoned with. We have to show that early in the preseason so we can get established. I think we have a really big upside."

Q: How was the trip to Canada for you personally, with it being your first time in a Sooner uniform?
A: "Even though the teams in Canada were not the caliber of teams we are going to play here in the Big 12, it helped a tremendous amount because of the fact we have a lot of new players. We still have players trying to adapt to Coach Capel's style, with this just being his second year coaching here. It helped us a whole lot as team with the extra time and better understanding schemes."

Q: Can you talk about the post players on the team and how big men help the point guard be successful?
A: "Whenever you have great big men, it makes the point guard's job much easier. You get them the ball and keep them happy. For example, when they get a rebound and run the floor for a fast break you better get them the ball and reward them. You have to keep them happy because they are doing the dirty work. It's our job to keep everyone satisfied and make sure we win. Everyone knows our strength this year is going to be in our post -- I think we have two pros down there. We have no choice but to get them the ball."

Q: What can Sooner fans expect from all of the newcomers this year?
A: "They are going to see a lot of guys who are eager to work hard. Nothing is going to happen overnight, but everyone is going to be impressed with how hard we play and how hard we play together. It is one thing to play hard, but it is another to play hard as a team. That is one thing fans are going to see all of the time. Even when things don't go right, playing hard can always make something happen. Coach Capel won't allow us to not play hard."

Q: How do you like playing for Coach Capel, with him being a former point guard at Duke?
A: "I like him a lot. I have played for a lot of coaches, ones that try to humiliate you and get in your face. I think Coach Capel has a really good balance with his players on and off the court. He is intense on the practice floor and in the game, but it is not because he is trying to degrade you or hurt your confidence at all. I really like playing for him and excited about the future."

Q: What opponent are you looking forward to playing this year?
A: "I am looking forward to playing O.J. Mayo and USC, and Jeremy Pargo, who plays for Gonzaga. They are highly touted point guards. If you go up against the best and perform well against the best, which means winning, then you put yourself right into that category. That is what I am trying to do."

Q: What is your favorite hobby other than basketball?
A: "I like to sing. Even though I am not very good at it, I love to put my iPod on and break windows around the house. I just like to sing."

Q: What is your major, and what are your life plans after basketball?
A: "My major is human relations. One day, hopefully I can get into coaching or something like that."

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