Introducing: Jordan Shepherd

NORMAN - Incoming freshman Jordan Shepherd signed his official letter of intent to play at the University of Oklahoma on May 9, some seventh months after official signing day. The North Carolina native was originally committed to James Madison, but an end-of-season coaching change sent Shepherd searching for a new future home.

When OU coaches discovered his interest, they quickly flew the 6-foot-3 point guard to the Sooner state.

“I thought Oklahoma was great,” Shepherd said. “After my coach got fired I was looking for a school, and I wanted to go to a big school. That was my dream. Oklahoma came and it was all a quick process, just one or two weeks. I came here, visited and I loved it. I talked with Coach Kruger, Coach (Carlin) Hartman and Coach (Chris) Crutchfield and signed.”

There were several factors that led to Shepherd's decision to quickly pack his bags and head to Norman, including the rich OU basketball tradition and the commitment by the school to long-term success.

“The facilities are amazing,” Shepherd said. “Coach Kruger, I know how he develops guys and I saw that in Buddy (Hield), Isaiah (Cousins) and even in Jordan Woodard, and I wanted to be part of that tradition.”

Kruger, ready to embark on his sixth season with the Sooners, is confident that Shepherd will be a perfect fit for his squad.

“He has great athletic ability, great attitude and great work ethic,” Kruger said. “Those guys always fit in well. He can put the ball on the floor and is a combo guard. He can play the point and shoot the ball well. He's a young guy that has the attitude to get better every day and will work all summer to do that.”

Players Mentioned

Jordan Shepherd

Jordan Woodard

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics