Blake Griffin is using his sophomore season at Oklahoma University to rewrite the school record books, spend time with his family and improve his status in the 2009 NBA Draft - should the 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward make himself eligible.
Four High School Oklahoma State Titles
Blake Austin Griffin was born on March 16, 1989 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He grew up competing against his older brother Taylor Griffin while both were home-schooled by their mother. Blake attended Oklahoma Christian School, playing two years alongside Taylor and for his father Tommy as coach. Griffin guided Oklahoma Christian to four consecutive state titles.
Player Of The Year Honors
After his brother graduated in 2005, Griffin took over the leading role of the team, averaging 21.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game as a junior. Those numbers improved to 26.8 points, 15.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.9 blocks during his senior season as Griffin received state Player of the Year honors from various publications and selected as a McDonald’s All-American and Jordan All-American.
Turns Down Elite Programs For Oklahoma, Capel, Brother
Blake Griffin had his choice of colleges to attend including Duke, North Carolina, Connecticut, Kansas and Michigan State. But his top four were Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Illinois. And he decided to attend Oklahoma, where Taylor had already played two seasons for head coach Jeff Capel and the older brother said he believed in what Capel was doing.
First Team All-Big 12
In his first season in Norman, the younger Griffin led OU to a 23-12 record and a spot in the second round of the NCAA tournament. With averages of 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds as a freshman, Griffin also became the first Oklahoma first-year player to earn First-Team all-Big 12 honors since Wayman Tisdale in 1982-83. Tisdale, the school’s career leading scorer, gave Blake the okay to wear his former No. 23.
Stay In Norman For One More Year With Brother
Griffin would have been a Top-Five pick in the NBA draft last spring but turned down the millions of NBA dollars to spend one more season with his brother Taylor – a senior this season.
Griffin Takes Game To Next Level
Griffin has taken his game to another level in his sophomore season - averaging 22 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals through 27 games. The first four games of the season he scored at least 20 points and grabbed at least 18 rebounds including two 20-20 performances, one of them 35 points and 21 rebounds against Gardner Webb. Then on Valentine's Day (February 14, 2009), Griffin collected 40 points and 23 rebounds against the Texas Tech Red Raiders - setting career bests at OU in both categories. He became just the third player in school history with at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a single game following Wayman Tisdale (61 points - 22 rebounds against Texas-San Antonio in 1983) and Alvan Adams (43 points - 25 boards against Iowa State in 1975).
Moving Up The Draft Board
After many observers believed he would be a top five pick after his freshman season, a number of draft experts have rated Griffin at the No. 1 prospect for the 2009 NBA Draft.
Postives, Negatives
Griffin game is similar to that of Carlos Boozer. He is a big, strong, athletic big man with an NBA body who is a tremendous rebounder and finishes well at the basket. He still lacks some offensive moves, especially in the post. His jump shot is questionable and he is poor free throw shooter.
