OSU signs four to men's basketball program
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Thursday, November 22, 2012
11/22/12 at 6:46 AM
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State announced Wednesday the signings of three high school seniors and a junior-college sophomore who will join the program next season.
Two players are from Texas and ranked in the top 25 by TexasHoops.com. Jeffrey Carroll, a 6-5 wing from Rowlett High School, averaged 17.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a junior and is rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.
"He's an extremely physical, big guard who can shoot it with great range, can score off the dribble, and is just an extremely athletic wing," Ford said. "He was probably one of the biggest surprises on the (AAU) circuit this summer.
"He was one of the most consistent players I saw, and really fits our style of play. He can run, jump, press, shoot the basketball, and I really like the way he can score. He's got a great body for this level, and can play a lot of different positions."
Leyton Hammonds, a 6-8 forward from Richland High School in North Richland Hills, also is a three-star recruit. As a junior, Hammonds averaged 14.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in leading his team to a 27-4 record.
"Leyton is playing really great basketball right now," Ford said. "He's playing like a top-50 player in the country. He's really worked on his body and gotten stronger. For a guy his size, he's really skilled. He can play inside and outside."
The Cowboys' other high school signee is Detrick Mostella, a 6-3 combo guard originally from Decatur, Ala., and currently enrolled at La Lumiere School in LaPorte, Ind. Mostella is a four-star recruit and Rivals.com's 68th-best player in the nation and the No. 22 shooting guard.
"Detrick might be the best scoring guard in the country," Ford said. "He's a big-time scorer.
"He's extremely athletic and has a knack for how to score, from the 3-point line, pull-up jumpers, and understands angles. He might lead the country in scoring when it's all said and done this year in the prep school ranks, and that's with five or six Division I players on his team."
OSU's lone junior-college signing came from 6-10 center Gary Gaskins, originally from Beaufort, S.C., and a sophomore at Brevard Community College in Melbourne, Fla. He is averaging 13.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks while shooting 69.2 percent from the floor.
"He's a guy that might be the fastest guy on our court, but can also put his elbows above the rim," Ford said. "He's a really athletic shot blocker that can score around the rim.
" ... Talking to his coaches, I think that by the time he's done here, he could really have a good career. He's really excited about coming to Oklahoma State. He brings a big, physical rebounding and shot-blocking presence that we desperately need."
Original Print Headline: OSU signs four to basketball program
Kelly Hines 918-581-8452
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com
