Nation's Top Recruit Set to Join Sooners

NORMAN, Okla. – Spencer Papa has signed a financial agreement to play collegiate tennis at the University of Oklahoma, Head Men's Tennis Coach John Roddick announced Monday.

Papa, an Edmond, Okla. native, is one of the top ranked junior players in the world and is widely considered the No. 1 tennis recruit in the nation.

“We are extremely excited that Spencer has decided to attend OU, and be part of our tennis program and university,” Roddick said. “He has been the top American recruit his entire junior career, and we expect him to make an immediate impact.”

Papa started playing tournaments at the age of seven, and by the age of eight was the No. 1 ranked junior player in the USTA Missouri Valley. He continued to climb the ranks and at the age of 12 was ranked the No. 1 junior player in the country by the United States Tennis Association.

Papa has been listed as high as No. 15 in the world in the ITF junior ranks and rose to a personal best No. 858 professional ranking this year.

In 2012, Papa was recognized by Patrick McEnroe as the USTA Player Development Player of the Year, and captured singles titles at the Banana Bowl ITF Tournament and the Copa Milo ITF Tournament. Papa also reached the semifinals at the Pan American and Asuncion Bowl ITF Tournaments.

In 2013, Papa reached the quarterfinals at the USA Futures, the USTA International Spring Championships and the Pan American ITF Tournament. Papa has also excelled in doubles play. He paired with Stefan Kozlov to claimed titles at the ITF Asuncion Bowl and Banana Bowl Tournaments, and paired with Jordi Arconada to claim the double title at the ITF Easter Bowl. Papa also reached the finals in doubles in three other ITF events.

Papa, immediately eligible in January, will join an Oklahoma team coming off a program-best national runner-up finish, and its third consecutive Big 12 Championship. The Sooners return seven players who saw action in the Spring 2014 season, including No. 3 ranked junior Axel Alvarez, No. 16 ranked senior Dane Webb and 40^th ranked sophomore Andrew Harris.

“Like several players on our team, he has the ability to be one of the top college players in the country,” Roddick said. “We are looking forward to getting started in January.”

For more information on OU Men's Tennis, follow the team on Twitter at @OU_MTennis.