Tulsa World: OSU freshman cleared to play

TULSA WORLD HOMEPAGE | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 | WIRELESS

OU | OSU | TU | ORU | HIGH SCHOOLS | COLLEGE FOOTBALL | COLLEGE BASKETBALL | NFL | FANTASY | OUTDOORS | GOLF | PROS | ALL

HOMEPAGES

SPORTS EXTRA BLOGS

		Sports Editor Mike Strain
		Sports Columnist Dave Sittler
		The Picker Entertaining & Infuriating

LOCAL PROS

ALL SPORTS

PHOTOS & VIDEOS

OUTDOORS

FIND A STORY

Search the World's archives

EMAIL ALERTS

SOCIAL MEDIA

RSS FEEDS

CONTACT US

BUY PHOTOS & PAGES

Buy a published photo by clicking the "Order this Picture" link on the photo. For a full-color page reprint, call 732-8198 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or order online.

TULSA WORLD

ADVERTISE ON SPORTS EXTRA

Learn more about the site.

Newspaper View Print this story

Bookmark

OSU freshman cleared to play

By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 12/2/2008 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 12/2/2008 3:50 AM

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State's suddenly taller basketball team got good news Monday when coach Travis Ford learned that 6-foot-11 freshman center Teeng Akol has been cleared by the NCAA.

Akol, sidelined by an academic issue for the bulk of the fall semester, participated in his first practice Monday and will accompany the Cowboys to a Thursday game against Washington in Seattle.

Ford doubts that Akol, who still has a system to learn, will play right away. But, said the coach, "He will make us look better in warm-ups and things like that and when we go to the airport."

Terrel Harris, interviewed courtside while Akol warmed up, said Akol will definitely help the Cowboys.

"Look how tall he is," Harris said. "Anybody that tall can help you. I don't care what sport you are playing."

Harris, who has played in pick-up games with Akol, said, "He's got game, man. He's not just all sticks and bones. He can play. He's big and tall and can go inside. He's pretty aggressive for his size. He's not too thick, but he is aggressive. He will go in there and dunk on you."

Akol, of Sudan, averaged 21 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks while playing at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., last season.

Akol was disappointed he was not cleared in time to travel to the Old Spice Classic in Florida last week, but he said Monday he was very excited to get good news.

"I'm happier for him more than anything because he has worked his tail off to get to this point," Ford said.

The Cowboys will have time to get Akol game-ready after the Seattle trip. Their next game isn't until Dec. 14.

Ford said Akol's availability will allow OSU to use center Ibrahima Thomas at forward sometimes so he doesn't have to guard "big, huge guys and get in foul trouble every game. It gives us some versatility in that area."

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

Newspaper View Print this story

Bookmark

COMMENTS

Add your comment

Show: Most Recent Comment First

0 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.