Tulsa World: Pilgrim's voyage docks in Stillwater

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Pilgrim's voyage docks in Stillwater

Matt Pilgrim headed to Oklahoma State after Kentucky over-signed and decided to let him go. SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World

By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 11/3/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 11/3/2009 6:59 AM

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State basketball coach Travis Ford said this about transfer forward Matt Pilgrim: "He is probably about the fastest, quickest, most athletic guy I have ever coached. This guy is ridiculous."

Listen to Ford rave and it's hard to believe any college coach would toss Pilgrim into a discard pile, but that's exactly what happened.

Not long after becoming Kentucky's new coach, John Calipari met with Pilgrim to say your services are no longer required. The Wildcats had over-signed and somebody had to go. Somebody now wears No. 31 at OSU.

Pilgrim was asked on media day if he has a chip on his shoulder because of what transpired in Lexington, Ky.

"It has made me more driven, but I am not going to focus on that," Pilgrim said. "I am going to focus on living out my dream and playing basketball after college."

Pilgrim became a free agent after he was jettisoned by Kentucky. He quickly was transformed from unwanted man to wanted man, visiting Maryland and Memphis before picking OSU.

"That's why I wasn't really hurt about it," Pilgrim said. "As long as I had a school to go to and somewhere to play, I was cool."

Ford is a former Kentucky player. Ford, who still has eyes and ears in Kentucky, was told that Pilgrim was a high-level player OSU should pursue.

"What he brings, we need," Ford said.

OSU lacked size and experience. Pilgrim is 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds. He also has two years of Division I experience, which sets him

apart from the Cowboys' six other newcomers.

OSU is Pilgrim's third college. Here's the backstory: Pilgrim said he drew interest from Providence and Seton Hall while in prep school, but recruiters jumped off the bandwagon when he suffered a stress fracture in his back.

Hampton University kept chasing. Pilgrim played at Hampton for two seasons. But when Pilgrim returned to his hometown of Cincinnati for pick-up games against other collegians, he became convinced he could play at a higher level.

"I had to challenge myself," Pilgrim said.

Pilgrim jumped to Kentucky and sat out an NCAA-required transfer year. He was nervous and unsure of himself initially, but gradually gained confidence. Now he believes he can play with anybody. Ford is glad to give him the opportunity.

OSU used a four-guard lineup last season. Marshall Moses often had the paint to himself. Ford would like to play Pilgrim alongside Moses, but Moses will have to get used to company.

"I just believe to compete at the highest level, you need two physical bodies in there — two big guys who can defend and can rebound," Ford said. "That's taking some time. It didn't look great last night. But we are going to force-feed that. That is going to work eventually. I don't know how long it is going to take. It may be ugly for a while, but we need those two playing together."

Exhibition opener

Vs. Central Oklahoma

7 p.m. Saturday

Radio: KFAQ am1170, KRVT am1270

Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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